Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 682
FRANCIS M. KERN

Francis M. KERN, a farmer living on section 25, of Washington Township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1881, and settled on the farm he now lives upon, purchasing a quarter section of improved land.

He was born in Huntington County, Pa., May 7, 1849, where he remained until the spring of 1875, then he came to Louisa County, Iowa, and there worked on a farm by the month for three years, at the end of which time he came to Shelby County, and there remained until the spring of 1881. He was married May 23, 1876, in Louisa County, to Miss Clarissa C. DRYDEN, who was born January 11, 1855, by which union five children have been born--John N., Anna M., William C., George W., deceased, Samuel M.

Mrs. KERN was born in Louisa County, Iowa, January 11, 1855, and remained in that county until the date of her marriage. She is the daughter of Robert C. DRYDEN, a native of Washington County, Pa., born March 23, 1827, and two years later he moved with his parents to Harrison County, Ohio, and in 1848 left there for Des Moines County, Iowa, and two years later to Louisa County, where he die, September 18, 1890. His wife, Mary (MICKEY) DRYDEN was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and her parents came to Des Moines County, Iowa, at an early day, but soon moved to Louisa County. They were the parents of nine children, Mrs. KERN being the second child.

The father of our subject was Peter KERN born in Huntington County, Pa., September 20, 1815. He was a farmer by occupation, and remained in the Keystone State until his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife was Anna E. (STINSON) KERN, a native of Fulton County, Pa., born April 3, 1818. After her husband's death she came to Shelby County, Iowa, where she died in September, 1885. They were the parents of nine children, of whom our subject is the fourth.

Politically, our subject votes with the Democratic party, and in religious matters he and his wife are Presbyterians.

Mr. KERN is now in possession of a good home, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Harrison County, besides one hundred and twenty acres in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, and a small tract of timber land in Louisa County. At the present time he is building a commodious two-story, 20x30 house upon his place in Washington Township.

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