Politician. Governor of Utah from 1925 to 1933, and Secretary of War from 1933 to 1936. In the late 1890's he was involved in mining and business and was the co-inventor of the Holt-Dern ore roasting process, a technique for recovering silver from low grade ore. He was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1914 and advocated progressive social legislation during his two terms. Dern gained the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1924 and, with the support of LaFollette's Progressive Party, defeated the Republican incumbent, Charles R. Mabey. As governor, he revised Utah's tax laws to favor the state's middle and lower income groups and advocated unemployment insurance. Perhaps his major achievement was in obtaining federal recognition that waters of all streams belonged to the states rather than to the federal government. This established a basis for the equitable sharing of the waters of the Colorado River. Dern was offered the position of Secretary of War by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and served in that capacity until his death. While achieving economy and efficiency in the operation of the War Department, he also strengthened the nation's military preparedness in spite of his pacifist tendencies. As a cabinet official, he was responsible for the creation and operation of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Grandfather of actor, Bruce Dern. Great-grandfather of actress, Laura Dern.
Politician. Governor of Utah from 1925 to 1933, and Secretary of War from 1933 to 1936. In the late 1890's he was involved in mining and business and was the co-inventor of the Holt-Dern ore roasting process, a technique for recovering silver from low grade ore. He was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1914 and advocated progressive social legislation during his two terms. Dern gained the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1924 and, with the support of LaFollette's Progressive Party, defeated the Republican incumbent, Charles R. Mabey. As governor, he revised Utah's tax laws to favor the state's middle and lower income groups and advocated unemployment insurance. Perhaps his major achievement was in obtaining federal recognition that waters of all streams belonged to the states rather than to the federal government. This established a basis for the equitable sharing of the waters of the Colorado River. Dern was offered the position of Secretary of War by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and served in that capacity until his death. While achieving economy and efficiency in the operation of the War Department, he also strengthened the nation's military preparedness in spite of his pacifist tendencies. As a cabinet official, he was responsible for the creation and operation of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Grandfather of actor, Bruce Dern. Great-grandfather of actress, Laura Dern.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
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