Bernard Eugene Kell, who is efficiently filling the office of coroner and public administrator in Santa Clara County, is a native son of San Jose and one of the enterprising young men of the city deeply interested in public affairs and a co-operant factor in many measures for the general good. He was born here on the 3d of May 1876 and is a son of Martin D. and Mary A. (Ward) Kell. His father was a native of Canada, and prior to the discovery of gold in this state he came to California, arriving in the year 1846. He took up his abode in Santa Clara County, where for many years he followed farming. He was also prominent in public life in his community, occupying the position of road master and also that of supervisor of the fourth district. He was likewise deputy sheriff for many years under Sheriffs Branham and Bollinger, and in all the positions in which he has been called to serve he has been found most loyal to the trust reposed in him. In 1898 he was elected coroner and filled the office up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 14th of June 1902. His wife was a native of Lewis County, New York, and came to California in 1862. In the family were five sons and two daughters.
Bernard E. Kell, whose name introduces this record, is indebted to the public schools of his native city for the early educational privileges he enjoyed, and he afterward attended St. Joseph College of San Jose, pursuing a commercial course in that institution and being graduated with the class of 1894. Subsequently he worked upon his father’s ranch for a short time, and then became assistant to his father in performing the duties of the office of coroner and public administrator. In 1902 he was elected to fill the position and has held it up to the present time, having been elected for a term of four years. He had become familiar with the duties of the office during his father’s administration and being a young man of strong principles and earnest purpose as well as possessing loyalty in citizenship, he is filling the office in the most capable manner and with entire satisfaction to the general public. He gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and has taken an active part in local and state politics since attaining his majority, having frequently served as a delegate to the county conventions. His social relations and memberships are with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Fraternal Eagles and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Kell is well known in the city where his birth occurred and where his entire life has been passed, and here he has gained the warm regard which is ever given in recognition of sterling worth and admirable personal traits of character.
Source: Leigh H. Irvine; A History of the New California Its Resources and People, 2 Volumes; New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903.