John W. Kern

Biography

John W. Kern of Indianapolis, born in 1849, rose through municipal and state politics to become a United States senator and the first majority leader of the Senate. A skilled jurist, he worked for equitable taxation, railroad regulation, and the needs of working families.

His thoughtful but firm leadership helped guide the Democratic Party through an era of reform and national debate, and his speeches remained models of civility. His final resting place at Crown Hill Cemetery is visited by those who respect his principled tenure in public life.