My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS KERN, an active business man of Slatington, is the proprietor of one of the local industries of the place, the Slatington Wood-working Mill and Lumber Yard, and supports other local enterprises. For one term he served as Burgess of Slatington, and has also been a member of the Council and one of the School Board.

John G. Kern, the father of our subject, who was a farmer by occupation, and a native of this county, died in 1861. His father, George Kern, was a defendant of early pioneers of this portion of Pennsylvania, his ancestors having at an early day emigrated from Germany, and as early as 1738 located on the present site of Slatington. The wife of John G. Kern was formerly Margaret Wert, who was also born in Lehigh County.

The birth of Thomas Kern occurred October 26, 1839, in this county, and his education was obtained in the district schools near his father’s farm, where he continued to reside until arriving at man’s estate. In 1868 he removed to this city, and the following year he formed a partnership with Mr. Berbemeyer, under the firm name of Berbemeyer & Kern, which connection continued to exist for two years. On the expiration of that time Mr. Kern bought out the entire interest in the lumber business, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time. In 1887 he purchased a planing-mill at this place, which is located on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and is fully equipped with all the latest improved machinery for turning out everything in the line of dressed lumber, siding, sash, door and blinds, mouldings and other planing-mill work. Orders placed with this firm may be relied upon to be promptly and carefully filled, and are sure to meet the entire satisfaction of customers. He is also interested in the slate lands and the development of the extensive slate quarries in the vicinity of this place, and, in short, is a warm advocate of all measures tending to develop local industry.

Socially Mr. Kern is a member of Slatington Lodge No. 440, F. & A. M.; Slatington Lodge No. 634, I. O. O. F., and also belongs to the Senior Mechanics. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and is a loyal citizen.

In December, 1859, Mr. Kern married the lady who presides over his pleasant home, Miss Amanda Kern, of Lehigh County. Her father, Thomas Kern, is still a resident of Washington Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kern six sons and three daughters have been born: Clara, wife of A. P. Neff, of Slatington; Robert S.; Alvin J., M. D.; William H., who is Cashier of the Whitehaven Savings Bank, at Whitehaven; Frank, a resident of Philadelphia; Richard E., who is in business with his father; Ellen J., Lillian and George. The parents are members of the Reformed Church, and have the good-will and high esteem of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.