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S. R. Kershner
That S. R. Kershner in former years worked
with a determination to succeed is attested by the fact that he is now
enabled to live retired in a comfortable home in Dana, Greene county,
deriving his income from an excellent farm property comprising three
hundred and sixty acres, all of which has been acquired through his own
labors. He is also well known as one of the pioneers of this county,
having located here at a time when the settlers were compelled to
endure many hardships and privations owing to the unsettled condition
of this part of the state.
Mr. Kershner is a native son of Iowa. his birth having occurred in Linn
county, on the 5th of October, 1848. He is one of a family of six
children, of whom three are living. his parents being Ferdinand and
Elizabeth (Rogers) Kershner, the former born in Germany, May 12, 1821.
The father was brought to the United States by his parents when a
little lad of eight years, and in early manhood made his way to Iowa,
settling first in Johnson county, while later he made his way to Linn
county, where he entered land from the government and successfully
engaged in farming throughout his active business career. He is still
living at the very venerable age of eighty-six years, making his home
with a son in Linn county. The mother of our subject claimed the
Keystone state as the place of her nativity, and her death occurred in
Linn county about twelve years ago. As above stated, there are but
three surviving members of the family, these being: Mrs. M. Morehead;
S. R., whose name introduces this review; and Eugene, a resident of
Linn county, Iowa.
S. R. Kershner was reared in his native county and there acquired his
education in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof
until he attained his majority, during which time he received practical
training at farm labor, as he assisted his father in the work of
tilling the soil and caring for the crops on the home place. When he
started out to make his own way in the world he sought his fortune in
the west, taking up a homestead in the state of Nebraska. Feeling more
favorable to his home state, however, he sold his land in Nebraska and
returned to Linn county, where he continued work as an agriculturist.
In 1874 he came to Greene county, operating rented land in Highland
town.ship. He eventually became the owner of eighty acres situated in
Hardin township, of which fifty acres had been cleared and on which
stood a small house sixteen by twenty-two feet. As time passed and he
prospered in his undertakings he added to his original possessions from
time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres
in Hardin township, all of which has been placed in a good state of
cultivation. He also added to his place many modern improvements and
accessories, keeping in touch with the advance of the age, and this
farm continued to be his home until about four years ago, when he
removed to the village of Dana, where he expects to spend his remaining
days in honorable retirement.
Mr. Kershner won a companion and helpmate for the journey of life by
his marriage in Linn county to Miss Jennie Heath, who was born in
Wisconsin. The only child of this marriage is Ernest, who was born in
Greene county and pursued a course of study in Ames Agricultural
College at Ames, Iowa. He wedded Miss Dollie Richardson, by whom he has
two children, and they make their home on a farm west of Dana, this
tract comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres, which he owns.
Mr. Kershner gives his political support to the republican party. He
served for nine years as township trustee. He has been identified with
the Odd Fellows society for many years, having filled all the chairs in
that lodge, and is now acting as a trustee in both the Odd Fellow and
Rebekah orders at Dana, taking a deep interest in the work of these
organizations. He is a man of excellent business judgment, his advice
often being sought in business matters by his neighbors and friends.
His ambition in life has been to acquire a competence that would enable
him to spend his last years in ease, and this wish has been gratified,
for he and his estimable wife are now living retired in a comfortable
home in Dana, surrounded by a host of warm friends, whom they have
gained by reason of their many excellent traits of character.
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