G. F. Kern 1839-1907

KERN, BOHREN, SMITH

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 10/26/2024 at 10:43:45

The Wapello Republic, Columbus Junction, IA
Thursday, June 13, 1907
Page 1

G. F. Kern, one of the most highly respected citizens of Columbus Junction, died quite suddenly Monday, June 10, at 2:30 o'clock after a brief illness. Mr. Kern was at the county seat on Monday the week before his death, transacting soldiers' relief business. In his death Louisa county has lost one of her best citizens. He was a friend of the aged, the middle aged, the youth and the children, and all respected and loved him.

Mr. Kern was born in Switzerland, and loved his native land. His birth occurred Feb. 2, 1835, at Berne. He was not an old man, living but passed the three score and ten mark, but he had lived a useful and busy life and did his work well and was ready for the well done. Mr. Kern was brought up in his native land in his mother's home. His father died when he was but an infant. At the age of 17 in the company of his brother sailed for America. They reached Philadelphia July 4th, 1852 and went on to Ohio, where at Rogersville lived a half brother and with him he lived for a time. In October of the same year he began an apprenticeship in a harness shop, after learning the trade he was engaged by the firm and came with them to Iowa in 1856. They located in Muscatine and Mr. Kern remained with them until 1859, when they went out of business and Mr. Kern went to Grandview where he engaged in business for himself.

Before leaving Muscatine he was married to Miss Rosina Bohren, who was also a native of Switzerland. They were the parents of thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters but four of these are how livings. They are Emma, now Mrs. J. R. Smith, of Columbus Junction; Fred, of Omaha and Frank, George and Clarence of Columbus Junction. His second wife and one daughter, Miss Oda, survive him.

In response to the call for troops during the war of the sixties, Mr. Kern, then a young married man, enlisted in company G, 19th Iowa infantry and served until the close of the war. On his return from the army he resumed business at Grandview and remained there until 1873, when he removed to Ainsworth, Iowa, and later to Letts and at each of these places he was in the harness business and in 1876 located in Columbus Junction.

For the past several years Mr. Kern has not been in very good health and has not worked at his trade, but kept a small stock of good to keep him, as he expressed it, "from getting lonesome." He was a Christian man, a member of the Evangelical church. In politics he was a Republic, Columbus Junction, IAan and was a member of Todd post G. A. R. The funeral was held at the Reformed church Wednesday at 10 o'clock a. m. conducted by Rev. Bechtel of the Reformed church at Conesville. Burial at Columbus Junction.