Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

KERCHER, GEORGE S.

p. 1631

Surnames: KERCHER, STERNER, FISHER, LEIBY, REESER, MAYBERRY, WEAND,
STOUT, WEIDA, FOX, CARL

George S. Kercher (deceased) was proprietor of a bakery
establishment in Reading, at No. 930 Douglass street. His start in
life was made without means and the success he attained was due
wholly to his own energy. He was born July 4, 1870, in Huntingdon
county, Pa., son of Charles H. and Amanda (Sterner) Kercher.

Benjamin Kercher, his grandfather, was a
respected citizen and lifelong agriculturist of Longswamp township,
Berks county, where he owned a valuable farm. He was married to
Hettie Fisher, and they had two children: Charles H. and Mary, the
latter of whom died at the age of two years. He died in 1872, and
his wife in 1846.

Charles H. Kercher was born in Longswamp
township in 1840, and was educated in the schools of that locality,
and then learned the carpenter’s trade. In 1879 he removed to
Reading, and was engaged at carpenter work until 1903, when he
retired, assisting his son at times in the bakery. He was married
in 1865 to Amanda Sterner, daughter of David and Angelina (Leiby)
Sterner, and they had nine children, five of whom survive: Albert
(who married Emma Reeser), Horatio (who married Kate Mayberry),
Naomi (who married Alvin Weand), Sallie (who married Frank Stout),
and Milton S. In religious belief the family is connected with the
Lutheran Church. Mr. Kercher was a soldier in the Civil war, being
a member of Company K, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
commanded by Captain James W. Weida. He received his honorable
discharge July 30, 1863, at Harrisburg, Pa. He is a member of G. A.
R. Post No. 16, Reading.

George S. Kercher was three years of age when
his parents removed to Reading, and here he received his education
in the common schools. Until seventeen years of age, he worked at
farm labor, and then he was apprenticed to the baker’s trade,
serving a term of four years. Later he went west, where he remained
until 1891; then returned to accept a position with a Mrs. Fox, who
conducted a bakery on Buttonwood street. After working six years
for her, he embarked in business for himself at No. 1026 Oley
street, and later removed to Green street. In 1906 he erected a
modern baking establishment, and employed twenty-three people
(eleven of whom were bakers), his business requiring nine delivery
wagons. He made a specialty of catering at weddings, banquets, etc.

Mr. Kercher was married to Lilah Carl, and to
them was born a daughter, named Edna. they attended the Lutheran
Church. Fraternally he was connected with Camp No. 552, P. O. S. of
A.; Camp No. 17, Patriotic Order of Americans; German American
Association; Northeastern Republican League; and the Royal Arcanum.
In politics he was a Republican. He died July 19, 1908.

KERN, FRANKLIN BOONE

p.
578

Surnames: KERN, BOONE, CROASDALE, SITH, HAHN, EHRGOOD, STEINROCK,
MAY

Franklin Boone Kern, one of the foremost citizens of Birdsboro,
Berks Co., Pa., where he had been engaged in the general
merchandise business for many years, as well as taking an active
interest in public affairs, died July 15, 1903. He came of good
pioneer stock, and the characteristic traits of the sturdy
independent spirits of his ancestors made him one of those
substantial citizens union whom people instinctively rely in time
of need, and he was never found wanting. Mr. Kern was born in
Exeter township, Berks county, March 24, 1832. son of Samuel and
Elizabeth (Boone) Kern, his mother a descendant of the .race that
gave the immortal Daniel Boone to the civilization “across the
mountains.”

Michael Kern, grandfather of Franklin Boone, was
of German blood, and settled in Exeter township, Berks county, at
an early day. His life was devoted to farming. He married Mary
Boone, daughter of Isaac Boone, who was a cousin of Daniel Boone,
and they had a large family, which they reared in the faith of the
Lutheran church.

Samuel Kern, son of Michael. was born and reared
in Exeter township, and his first training was along the line of
farm work. He then learned the tailor’s trade and followed it for
many years. He died in 1872, aged seventy-five. His wife, Elizabeth
(Boone) Kern. died in 1868, aged seventy-six years. They had two
sons. William (m. Hannah Haws. and had five children) and Franklin
Boone. Samuel Kern was a Republican. but had never cared for
politics. In his religious faith he was a Lutheran.

Franklin Boone Kern was educated in the schools
of his native township, and at the age of fourteen he began to
learn the cooper’s trade. Later with his father he worked at the
tailor’s trade, but neither proved congenial to his tastes. and he
turned his attention to commercial pursuits. entering as a clerk
the general merchandise store of Brooke & Evans, at Birdsboro.
This he continued until after the outbreak. of the Civil war. On
Aug. 10, 1862. he enlisted in Company A. 128th Pa. V. L, under Col.
Samuel Croasdale, and was mustered in as third sergeant under Copt.
L. H. Smith, and. with his regiment moved on to Washington, D. C.,
thence to Fairfax Station, and to Frederick. Md., and South
Mountain. They participated in the battle of Antietam in September,
1862, and in the pursuit of Stuart’s Cavalry. They went into winter
quarters the latter part of January, 1863. but on the opening of
the spring campaign under Hooker, they set forth, and took part in
the battle of Chancellorsville May 1-4, 1863. Mr. Kern was captured
by the enemy, but escaped. He had- been promoted to first sergeant
Feb. 1. 1863- On May 12th the regiment proceeded to Harrisburg. and
there was mustered out of service May 19, 1863, on account of the
expiration of the term of enlistment. Mr. Kern re-enlisted July 6,
1863, as captain in Company I, 42d Pennsylvania. Militia. and
served during the emergency, being mustered out Aug. 12. 1863.

After his return from the war, Mr. Kern went to
Schuylkill county. Pa.. and at New Philadelphia clerked in a
general store until 1866, when he engaged in business for himself,
continuing for ten years. Coming to Birdsboro he established a
general mercantile business on 1611 street, near First, and here he
soon acquired a good trade. People came to know and to respect the
enterprising merchant, and to realize that he was not only always
accommodating and courteous, but he was absolutely honest and fair
in all his dealings. His patronage increased with the years, and he
gained a comfortable fortune for himself. He continued in business
until 1898, when he sold out and retired.

Mr. Kern was one of Birdsboro’s best known
citizens, and in all public affairs he took an active and
intelligent part. He was a staunch Lutheran, and was a member of
the building committee in 1877 when the. present edifice of St.
Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was erected. In politics he was
a Republican, and he served some time in the council at Birdsboro.
His fraternal connections were with Neversink Lodge, I. O. O. F.,
of which he was a charter member; Reading Lodge, No. 62, F. &
A. M. (which lodge had charge of his funeral services); the Knights
of Pythias; and was at one time a member of the G. A. R.

On Sept. 24. 1861. Mr. Kern was married to
Elizabeth Hahn, born in Robeson township, daughter of Jacob and
Mary Ann (Ehrgood) Hahn. Three children were born of this union:
Mary Elizabeth m. the Rev. James Bowman May, an Episcopal minister:
Samuel Jacob died aged two years; and Sallie Hahn married Charles
Marquette Steinrock. of Staten Island, and has one child, Franklin
Kern.

KERN,
HARRISON T.

p. 1158

Surnames: KERN, LENHART, ALT, SCHRIFLE

Harrison T. Kern, proprietor of the restaurant at the Philadelphia
& Reading Railroad outer station, Reading, Pa., was born at
Tamaqua, Schuylkill Co., Pa., son of Charles S. and Elizabeth
(Lenhart) Kern.

Charles S. Kern in early life was a bookkeeper in Reading, but
later removed to Tamaqua, where for fourteen years he was engaged
in a successful mercantile business. This he sold out and returned
to Reading, where he followed bookkeeping until his death in 1903,
at the age of sixty-six years. He married Elizabeth Lenhart, who
died in 1882, when forty-two years old. Of their children three are
now living: Edwin C., a clerk in his brother’s employ; Miss
Catherine, who resides in Reading; and Harrison T. Charles S. Kern
m. (second) Mrs. James Kern, his brother’s widow, and there were
two children born to this union: Anna Bell and Helen, of Reading.
Mr. Kern was a soldier during the Civil war, being in the three
months service. In religious belief he was Methodist.

Harrison T. Kern was educated in the schools of
Tamaqua, after leaving which he became a clerk in a hardware store,
where he continued eight years. On June 15, 1891, he came to
Reading, where he was employed by his brother, J. J. Kern, until
the latter’s death, three years later, when he assumed charge of
the Philadelphia & Reading dining room. Under his able
management this restaurant has become one of the leading dining
rooms along the Philadelphia & Reading system, and here are
employed fourteen people. The service is excellent and prices
moderate, and everything possible is done to make patrons
comfortable.

Mr. Kern married Anna M. Alt, born in Berks
county, daughter of John M. and Lena (Schrifle) Alt, and to them
there have been born two children, Catherine E. and a son deceased.
Mr. Kern is a member of Reading Lodge No. 549, F. & A. M.,
Reading Chapter, De Molay Commandery, Reading Lodge of Perfection,
Philadelphia Consistory (thirty-second degree), and Rajah Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S.; and of the Temple Club. Politically he is
independent, while he and his wife are members of the Lutheran
Church.

KERN, JOHN
J.

p. 1164

Surnames: KERN, WAGNER, ECKERT, FELIX, TISCHMACHER, OWENS

John J. Kern was born in Reading in 1874, son of Francis and
Catherine (Wagner) Kern, and his life has been identified with the
city of his nativity, where he is now well established in the
undertaking business.

The Kern family is of German stock, and Jacob
Kern, grandfather of John J., never left his native country, but
spent his life there as a farmer, and died there just three days
after his eightieth birthday. His children were: Joseph, Magdalena,
Mary, John, Annie, Catherine, Francis, Francisco and Francis (2).

Francis Kern was born in Germany Oct. 3, 1850.
He learned the milling trade in his native land, and then when
twenty years of age he came to America. Landing at New York City,
he came direct to Reading and first secured work at the furnaces of
Mr. Eckert. He never resumed work at his original trade, but later
went into the Philadelphia & Reading shops, where he has been
engaged for the past thirty years in the blacksmith department.
making springs. His wife, Catherine. was born in Hesse Darmstadt,
Germany. She came to America in 1870, and was married to Mr. Kern
Sept. 15, 1873. Their family was a large one, but most of them are
now deceased. John J. is the oldest. The others were: Francis W.
and Catherine M., both deceased; Joseph J., a civil engineer; Henry
J., Frank George, Annie M. and Edward F., all deceased; W. F., a
bookkeeper; and Eva F., deceased.

John J. Kern was sent both to the public and
parochial schools of Reading, but began working while still young.
His first position was as a cash boy, in the department store of
Dives, Pomeroy & Stewart, but instead of working up in that
line he went to the printing establishment of B. F. Owens &
Co., where he learned that trade and followed it for a few years.
Still feeling that he had not yet found the right field for himself
he next went into the Philadelphia & Reading shops and learned
to work as a blacksmith. This trade also he pursued for a time, and
then entered upon the business in which he is now engaged, that of
undertaking and embalming. He went into the establishment of George
H. Felix, and during the seven years he remained with him he became
thoroughly master of the business. On July 20, 1903, he opened an
office for himself at No. 107 North Ninth street, but the following
April he removed to his present location, No. 117, on the same
street, where he enjoys a good patronage and one which is
constantly increasing. He is also president of the Harrison Mutual
Burial Association, which he himself organized for the object of
providing for the payment of the funeral expenses of the members
thereof, the only association of its kind in existence, and having
a membership, at the present time, of nearly two million.

Mr. Kern married Emma A. Tischmacher, daughter
of Conrad Tischmacher, a well known barber of Reading. They have
two daughters, B. Frances and Gertrude H. They are members of St.
Paul’s Catholic Church. Mr. Kern is connected with several social
organizations, being a member of the Eagles; the M. W. A.; the
Knights of St. John, No. 271; the Knights of Columbus, No. 793;
Bonifacius Beneficial Brotherhood; Beneficial Brotherhoods of The
Holy Cross; Twentieth Century Quakers No. 2; American Order of
Owls, No. 116; Harmonie Maennerchor; Bavarians; and Liederkranz.

KERN,
MILTON

p. 1248

Surnames: KERN, MUSSER, KEEFER, SHUPP, HOFFMAN, MUSSELMAN, LUDWIG,
WEBER, RATHMAN, BUBTEL, GRING, KRAMER, ZIEMER, HOSCHOUR, NEWMAN

Milton Kern, one of Berks county’s enterprising agriculturists who
is conducting a truck farm in Brecknock township, was born Nov. 18,
1856, in Brecknock township, Lancaster county, son of Isaac and
Elizabeth (Musser) Kern.

Isaac Kern was a lifelong farmer in Brecknock
township, Lancaster county, where he became highly esteemed and
fairly prosperous. He married Elizabeth Musser, daughter of John
Musser of Berks county, and to this union there were born the
following children: Caroline m. Jacob Keefer; Barbara, deceased, m.
Isaac Shupp; Elizabeth m. William Hoffman; Mary A. m. Theodore
Musselman; Susan m. Jefferson Ludwig; Hettie E. m. Martin Weber,
residing in Reading; Milton; Adam m. Albina Rathman; and John m.
Dora Ludwig.

Milton Kern attended the schools of Lancaster
county until the age of fifteen years, and then worked with his
father until 1880, when he engaged in farming on his own account on
the old homestead in Brecknock township. He then removed to the
farm of Frederick R. Bubtel, in Cumru township, where he remained
for two years. Mr. Kern then spent one year on William Gring’s
farm, a like period on Isaac Kramer’s property, and in 1888 bought
the old Henry Ziemer farm of sixty-three acres, which he has
conducted to the present time. He has erected handsome and
substantial buildings, and his farm is one of the best in the
township. Mr. Kern is enterprising and a good business man, and
attends the Kissinger market in Reading, having his stand at Nos.
24 and 25. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1898 and again in
1907 was elected for a three year term as school director, a
position he fills very efficiently. He and Mrs. Kern attend the
Lutheran Church of Allegheny, where he has served as deacon.

In May, 1879, Mr. Kern was married to Mary
Kramer, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Hoschour) Kramer, and to
this union there have been born: William, who was a school teacher
and is now living at home; Rev. Howard, who attended the Keystone
State Normal school for three terms, and graduated with the class
of 1908 from Mt. Airy Theological Seminary, Philadelphia; Charles,
who married Maude Newman and resides in Reading; Morris E., who is
at home assisting his father; and Wayne, at school. 65-767 Kerper,
William F.

KERPER, WILLIAM F.

p. 767

Surnames: KERPER, BOYER, FOREMAN, KEELEY, LEADER, PARKER, RINGLE,
SILVIS, STEVENS, STULTZ

William F. Kerper, a lifelong resident of Reading, now living
retired, was born in that city May 24, 1842, son of Abraham and
Elizabeth (Boyer) Kerper. He is a member of the fifth generation of
his family in this country, and of the fourth generation settled in
Berks county.

Abraham Kerper, the great-great-grandfather of
William F. Kerper, came from Germany to America in 1735, locating
in Germantown, Pa., where he spent the balance of his life. His
son, Valentine Kerper, removed from Germantown to Reading in 1750,
while yet a young man, being one of the earliest settlers of the
city, and at the time of his death was a large property holder
there. He was an active member of the Reformed Church. Daniel
Kerper, his son, and grandfather of William F., was one of the
early hotel-keepers of Berks county, conducting a hostelry nearly
all of his life. During his younger days he took an active part in
politics, and served as sheriff of the county for two terms. He was
united in marriage with Rosina Stultz, whose father conducted a
blacksmith shop at Eighth and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia,
during the Revolutionary war, and to them were born the following
children: Abraham, father of William F.; Margaret, m. to William
Silvis; Catherine, m. to Joshua Keeley; Charles; Daniel; John;
William, and Caroline.

Abraham Kerper was born in the borough of
Reading Aug. 12, 1796, at the old Kerper homestead at the corner of
5th and Walnut streets, and at an early age became an apprentice to
the tanner’s trade, which he followed successfully the remainder of
his life, becoming very prosperous. He was considered wealthy at
the time of his death, in 1872. In political matters he was a
Democrat, and he served two terms as director of the poor. He was
an adherent of the principles of the German Reformed Church.
Abraham Kerper married Elizabeth Boyer, who was born in 1804 and
died in 1879, and twelve children were born to this union: Rosa,
who died in infancy; Daniel, deceased; Mary, m. to James H. Parker,
now deceased; Henry, a retired tanner of Reading; Rosanna, who died
in infancy; Elizabeth, who died in early childhood; Ellen B., m. to
Sadosa S. Stevens, deceased, of Reading, and mother of William
Kerper Stevens, a prominent attorney-at-law of Reading; James R.;
George B., of Cincinnati, Ohio; William F.; Kate, m. Charles
Ringle, both being deceased; and Abraham Charles, who died at the
age of twenty-one years.

William F. Kerper was educated in the common
schools of Reading, and when but a boy entered the employ of his
father to learn the tanner’s trade, which he followed for the long
period of forty-five years. In 1899 he was appointed police
sergeant under Mayor Leader’s administration, and he subsequently
accepted a position at the Reading Pipe Mill, where he continued
until 1904, in which year he was appointed to the position of
janitor at the county court house, his term expiring in 1906. Mr.
Kerper is now living retired, his home being at No. 409 South
Fourth street.

In 1880 Mr. Kerper married Jeanetta Foreman,
daughter of John Foreman, of Sinking Spring, and four children were
born to this union: Charles R., who is a hatter; John, deceased;
Carrie M., and Walter W. Mr. Kerper is a staunch Republican. Both
he and his wife attend the Reformed Church. For a period of
forty-five years Mr. Kerper was a member of the Junior Fire
Company, and he is now identified with the Reading Veteran Fire
Association.