Agency Histories

George H. Dern was a businessman, mine manager, and politician. He was born in Dodge County, NE on September 8, 1872. He graduated from Midland University 1888, later he spent three years studying English at the University of Nebraska. He left before graduating to move to Utah and help his father in his mining and milling company. At some point he married Charlotte Brown. At first he was a bookkeeper, then when the company became the Consolidated Mercur Gold Mine Company, he was the General Manager 1900-1913. He developed a vacuum slime-filter process and the Hold-Dern roasting process. The company later folded, but he was well versed in mine management by then, so he went on to manage a series of other mines 1913-1920. He also dabbled in ranching, dairying, public utilities, and banking. 1914-1923 he was the democrat representative to the state senate. Dern became the state Governor 1925-1933. He set up a reformed tax system, and organized financial support of public schools. He also revised the Colorado River Compact. When he left office he was selected to be the Secretary of War (now the Secretary of Defence) 1933-1936. He had pacifist leanings, but he won support through promoting efficiency and readiness. He created a five year plan to improve the military's equipment. Since he was in office during the Great Depression he also oversaw the Civilian Conservation Corps. He died in office on August 27, 1936.