George Dern

Life & Legacy

George Henry Dern (September 8, 1872 – August 27, 1936) was a German American politician, mining man, and businessman. He co-invented the Holt–Dern ore roasting process and was United States Secretary of War from 1933 to his death in 1936. He also served as the sixth governor of Utah for eight years, from 1925 to 1933. Dern was a progressive politician who fought for tax reform, public education, and social welfare. He was the grandfather of actor Bruce Dern and great-grandfather of actress Laura Dern.
A Unitarian, Dern was one of only three non-Mormon Governors of Utah. The other two were Simon Bamberger, who was Jewish, and J. Bracken Lee, who was Presbyterian.