KERNAN, Francis, senator, born in Wayne, Steuben County, New York, 14 January, 1816. He was graduated at Georgetown college, D. C., in 1836, studied law, and removed to Utica in 1839, where he was admitted to the bar in July, 1840. He was reporter of the court of appeals from 1854 till 1857, and was chosen member of assembly in 1860. He was elected from the Oneida district to congress in 1862 over Roscoe Conkling, the Republican candidate, and served from 1863 till 1865. In 1864 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by Mr. Conk-ling. He was a member of the Constitutional convention in 1867, and also of the commission to report to the legislature proposed amendments to the constitution, which were adopted in 1874. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1872, but was defeated by General John A. Dix. Mr. Kernan was elected senator from New York in January, 1875, and served from 4 March, 1875, to 4 March, 1881. His "Reports " were published in four volumes (Albany, 1855-'7).