Agnes
(Murray) Kern
(1870-1962)
Agnes (Murray) Kern was born on Jan. 11, 1870 near Normalville, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Elijah and Hannah (Minerd) Murray.
Tragically, in May 1885, when she was 15, she was orphaned when her parents died eight days apart. The identity of the individual who raised her to adulthood is lost to history.
On Sept. 1, 1891, Agnes married Nelson G. Kern (1869-1945), son of George and Ellen (Cramer) Kern of Normalville. They had six children – Anna Coffman, Mahlon Kern, Herbert Eugene Kern, George Kern, Ralph C. Kern and Woodrow W. Kern. Sadly, son George died in infancy.
In the 1890s, the Kerns resided in Scottdale. The June
12, 1896 Connellsville Courier reported that “Walter S. Colborn has
gone to Scottdale to build a house for Nelson G. Kern.” They moved to New
Salem, PA in about 1900.
In August 1927, Nelson was re-elected president of the Fourth Annual Kern Reunion. It was held that year at the home of N.R. Lyons near Paradise, Bullskin Township, Fayette County, featuring a basket dinner. The Courier noted that "Over a hundred persons were in attendance." The following year, "more than 100 persons mostly from Connellsville and vicinity attended the annual reunion ... at Shady Rest along the Springfield road," said the Courier. "Dinner and supper were served at long tables which were laden with all the picnic delicacies of the season." That year, Nelson was re-elected president. Said the Courier, "The 1929 reunion will be held at the old Kern homestead at Normalville."
Nelson’s brother Tilden H. Kern wrote the Kern
Family History, published in 1960, and found in the Uniontown Public Library. He wrote that Nelson “was
employed by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., as farm superintendent for many years,
later retiring. Celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, September 1, 1941.
Now, April, 1956 his wife Mrs. Agnes Kern is still active and enjoying good
health.”
The
photo seen here, of the Kern's 50th anniversary celebration, is
reproduced from the Kern Family History.
Nelson died at home in New Salem on April 4, 1945, at age 75.
Agnes survived him by 17 years, and died at the home of daughter Anna Coffman on April 30, 1962. She was buried beside her husband at Oak Grove Cemetery in Uniontown, PA.
Son Mahlon Kern worked for the Coffman Motor Co. and Null Ford Sales. He was a charter member of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Department, served as fire chief for 38 years, and was a member of the Fayette County Firemen’s Association, and of the Chief and Assistant Chief’s Association.
The Kern History says that son Ralph Kern "has been a solicitor for the Prudential Life Insurance Company for 34 years in 1956. He was one of the organizers of the Fayette Stock Yard Co. and vice president and one of its largest stockholders, and has been a director since its organization in 1937." He died in Whitefish, MT, after becoming ill while visiting the World’s Fair in Seattle.
Son Woodrow Kern was manager of the Mechanical Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA.
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Mill Street in snowy New Salem in the early 1900s |
Son in law Ernest E. Coffman was owner and operator of Coffman Motor Co. of New Salem for 45 years. He was a charter member of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Company and a charter member of the New Salem Rotary Club.
Grandson Ray P. Coffman was manager of Coffman Motors. Active in the community, he also was vice president of the Uniontown Joint High School Board and a member of the board of directors of the Fayette County Branch of the Pennsylvania Blind Association.
A graduate of the School of Nursing at Uniontown Hospital
(seen at left in a rare old postcard view),
granddaughter Alma L. Kern served as a special nurse for United States Secretary of State
Cordell Hull (seen at right). She was an ensign in the US Navy during World War II. Later, she
was a school nurse with the Laurel Highlands School District in Uniontown.
Granddaughter Alice Coffman married Dr. Jay D. Randolph of Welch, McDowell County, WV.
Copyright © 2001, 2003, 2008 Mark A. Miner