Evening star., 1936-08-27

became national ngure Wnen ne was
named by President Roosevelt to the
post of Secretary of War in March,
1898.
Dern, the second Democrat and the
second man not Mormon to be Gov
ernor of Utah, had just finished his
second four-year term when he came
to Washington. His reputation for
accomplishment as one Of the organ
izers Of the seven States conference
on the Boulder Dam controversy was
one Of the chief factors leading to his
selection for the cabinet post.
In technical mining circles Dern
was known as joint investor with
Theodore P. Holt of the Holt-Dern
ore roaSter and also for his work
in the development Of q vacuum slime
filtration process. He was credited
with putting both these appliances on
q commercial basis.
Went to Nebraska u.
Born in Dodge County, Nebr.. Sep
tember 8, 1872, the son OF John and
Elizabeth D. Dern. the future cabinet
officer attended the Nebraska public
schools and Fremont Normal College,
from which he was graduated at Is.
He worked in freight and lumber yards
to earn money with which to attend
the University Of Nebraska in 1898 and
1894
He took an active interest in ath-
letics. He played guard on the varsity
foot ball team and was captain of the
team when it won the Missouri Valley
Conference championship. Dern. In
his university days, was just under 6
feet in height and usually weighed
around ITS pounds.
Dern also played an alto horn In the
university cadet corps band. The
commandant of the corps at that time
was Lieut.. John J. Pershing. Forty
years later these two again were to
be associated when the amateur
bandsman became head of the War
Department, under which the now re-
tired general had won worldwide
fame.
Joined Gold Company.
Dern cut short his university career
to accompany his parents when they
moved from Nebraska to Utah. There
he got a job as bookkeeper with q gold
mining and milling company. He de-
voted his spare hours to q study Of
the technical and engineering aspects
of the industry. After q short ap-
premiership as bookkeeper, he began
to rise, soon becoming treasurer.
When, six years later, the company
absorbed other mines and became the
Consolidated Mercur Gold Mines Co.,
Dern became general manager. He
remained with, the company until its
mines were closed In 1918. Then he
became, successfully. general manager
OF the Mines Operating Co. at Park
City. Utah, and of the Tintic Milling
Co. at Silver City. Utah.
Dern married Miss Lottie Brown of
Fremont, Nebr, on June z, 1899.
They had seven children, three sons
and four daughters. Two Of the
daughters died.
At various times in his later career,
Dern was engaged In banking, dairy
ing and canning.
In 1914 he made his first essay into
politics. He was successful and was
elected to the State Senate, in which
he served for eight years. until 1928.
He speedily made his mark as hard
working Progressive. During the
World War he was a member Of the
State Council of Defense.
Ran for Governor in 1924.
Through his success In the Senate
and his long connection with the
mining business, Dern was recognized
as peculiarly fitted to 60 before the
people Of the State as a candidate for
Governor. since mining Is the most
important industry of the State. He
was prevailed upon to run for the
highest ONCE In the State In 1924
against Gov. Mabey.
The Dern slogan. for which he dis
claimed any responsibility in later
years, was I'VE want . Dern good
governor, and we don't mean Mabey."
He was elected on q fusion ticket Of
Democrats and Progressiyes for q
four.year term and ct once became
active In the Boulder Dam discussion.
Dernl took rthe position that the
Colorado River belonged to the several
States through which II flowed and
not to the Tederai Government. He
contended thGt consxoas must; take