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John W. Kern Jr.

John Worth Kern Jr. (July 7, 1900 – January 29, 1971)[1] was an American politician who served as the 31st mayor of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Biography

Kern's grave at Crown Hill Cemetery

Kern graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1920 and Harvard Law School in 1923.[2] Prior to serving as mayor, Kern was a judge on the Superior Court of Marion County.[3] He took office as mayor in 1935 and resigned on September 2, 1937, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to a seat on the U.S. Board of Tax Appeals, which later became the United States Tax Court.[2] Kern was reappointed by President Truman in 1950 when his first term expired and served as chief judge before retiring from active service on June 30, 1961.[4][5]

He died at Washington Hospital Center on January 29, 1971, and was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[6]

Kern's father was Senator John W. Kern, the first Senate Majority Leader, and his son was John W. Kern III, a judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. His grandson, John W. Kern IV, is also a lawyer.[7]

References

  1. ^ Bodenhamer, David J.; Barrows, Robert G. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. p. 866.
  2. ^ a b Cole, Ben (December 5, 1954). "A Family Tradition". The Indianapolis Star. p. 164. Retrieved October 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Mrs. John W. Kern Sr. Injured". The New York Times. Indianapolis (published December 26, 1931). AP. December 26, 1931. p. 6. Retrieved October 8, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ "Truman Reappoints Three". The New York Times. April 21, 1950. p. 14.
  5. ^ "Tax Court Judge Resigns". The New York Times. June 27, 1961. p. 18.
  6. ^ "Kern, Former Capital Mayor, Judge, Dies". Lafayette Journal and Courier. Washington, D.C. AP. January 30, 1971. Retrieved October 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "John W. Kern 4th Engaged to Wed Kate C. Murdoch". The New York Times. November 23, 1986. p. 77. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Indianapolis
1935–1937
Succeeded by