William H. Kerndt
William H. Kerndt, a successful and prominent farmer of French
Creek township and a worthy representative of one of Allamakee
county’s most honored pioneer families, was born on the farm
which he now owns December 19, 1859. He is a son of Herman
Kerndt, a native of Schlesien, Germany, born in 1823, and one of
five Kerndt brothers who came to Allamakee county in 1853. Herman
Kerndt purchased two hundred acres of unimproved land in French
Creek township and devoted the remainder of his life to general
farming, becoming one of the substantial and representative
agriculturists of the community. His first home, a little shanty
upon his holdings, was afterward replaced by a log cabin and
still later by the frame dwelling now occupied by the subject of
this review. This in turn he intends to replace next spring by a
fine modern dwelling, for which he has the material already upon
his place. The father became a successful and prosperous farmer
and as his financial resources grew added to his holdings until
his farm comprised three hundred and ninety acres of land lying
on section 36. Herman Kerndt married Miss Godlieba Breuer, also a
native of Germany, and both passed away upon this farm, the
mother dying February 21, 1901, and the father, January 12, 1911.
They were the parents of eight children: Alvina, who lives in
Lansing; Maria, who is now Mrs. Haas; Jennie, who died at the age
of twenty-two; Charles, who met his death by drowning when he was
about twenty years of age; Gustave H., a farmer of Lansing
township; Emma, now Mrs. H. R. Weirking, of Mankato, Minnesota;
Annie, who is housekeeper for her brother, Gustave H., and
William H., of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kerndt were
devout members of the Congregational church and the father was a
stanch supporter of the republican party.
William H. Kerndt was reared upon his present farm and acquired
his education in the district schools of Makee township, in the
independent district of Lycurgus. During the last years of his
father’s life he assumed the management of the homestead and
after his death bought the interests of the other heirs and has
since been the sole owner. There are excellent improvements upon
the place, Mr. Kerndt having steadily carried forward the work of
development until the farm is today a valuable and productive
property.
On the 19th of May, 1891, Mr. Kerndt was united in marriage to
Miss Lena Nierling, a native of Allamakee county and a daughter
of Anton and Mary (Buck) Nierling, both of whom have passed away.
Mr. and Mrs. Kerndt have become the parents of six children:
Herman, Maria, Leslie, Theodore, Willard and Clarence, all of
whom are at home. The parents are devout members of the
Congregational church and are liberal contributors to its
support. Mr. Kerndt gives his political allegiance to the
democratic party and is keenly interested in local advancement
and development, although this interest never takes the form of
office seeking. A resident of French Creek township since his
birth, he a largely familiar with the history of the county and
has an intimate knowledge of the events which have changed its
annals and affected its policies. His work and accomplishments
entitle him to mention among the representative men of this
community.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index