My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT KERN. Lehigh County is justly proud of her native-born citizens, who are honorably bearing their share in sustaining her interests and extending her wealth. Among these is the subject of this biographical review, who is engaged in the coal business in Franklin in company with his son, Weston H., under the name of Robert Kern & Son. He likewise owns a valuable estate of eighty-four acres in Washington Township, and is one of its most progressive and enlightened farmers.

Our subject was born in this county December 22, 1833, and is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hartman) Kern, likewise natives of the above place, the former of whom departed this life in 1868. The family is an old and representative one in this section. Our subject and his brother Paul are the only surviving members of the parental family. The former was reared in his native county and received such an education as the common schools of the day afforded. To that foundation he has added by reading and observation, his effort being to keep himself well informed regarding current events and topics of general interest.

Our subject followed farm pursuits until 1890, when he abandoned that life, and has since given his attention to his various other enterprises. For a short time during the war he carried on the butchering business, and for the past twenty years he has been an auctioneer, filling that position at all kinds of public sales.

In 1871 Mr. Kern established himself in the coal business in Franklin, having for his first partner Tilghman Kuntz, the firm name being Kuntz & Kern. This partnership was dissolved several years later, at which time our subject took his son, Weston H., into partnership. They have a large patronage, and conduct their affairs in such an honorable and upright manner as to win the respect and regard of all who know them.

Mr. Kern was united in marriage in the year 1853 to Miss Julia A., daughter of Joseph Peter, now deceased. Mrs. Kern is a native of this county, and the mother of seven children: Erasmus F., Henrietta, Oliver F.; Ida, the wife of Rev. J. W. Roth; Flora, Mrs. O. S. Peter; Robert A. and Weston H. Our subject has been a life-long resident of Washington Township. In politics he casts a Democratic vote, and has been candidate before the county Democratic convention for the office of County Commissioner on three different occasions, but as many times failed to get the nomination.

Religiously Mr. Kern is a member of the Evangelical Association, in which he has held the office of Trustee at Slatington for many years. He is serving at present as Treasurer of the Sunday-school. He is very public spirited and enterprising, and is serving his third term as Assistant Assessor. He has also been Tax Collector of his township, and socially is a prominent Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.