Kearns, Thomas, 1862-1918

Thomas Kearns was born near Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and moved with his parents to Nebraska where he attended public schools until he was 17, worked on a farm, and engaged in the freighting business. He moved to Park City, Utah, in 883, and worked in mining and prospecting, and eventually operated several mines. As a Utah Republican, he was elected to the United States Senate and served from 1901 to 1905, but lost the reelection bid. He and his wife's home, the Kearns Mansion, was donated to the state in 1937, and is still used as the official Governor's Mansion.

Born near Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, Thomas Kearns moved with his parents to O'Neill in Holt County, Nebraska, where he attended the public schools untill he was 17, worked on a farm, and engaged in the freighting business. He moved to Park City, Utah, in 1883, and worked in mining, prospected, and operated several mines. In 1889, he and his partner David Keith discovered the rich ore that became the famous Silver King Coalition Mine in Park City. THey would eventually own several mines throughout Utah, Nevada, Colorado and California. They also bought the Salt Lake Tribune in 1905. In Park City, Kearns, a Catholic, married Jennie Judge in 1890, with whom he would have three children. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1889. He served from January 23, 1901 to March 3, 1905, and lost a later bid. He is buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery. He and his wife's home, the Kearns Mansion, was donated to the state in 1937, and is still used as the official Governor's Mansion.