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         GOTTFRIED KERN, manufacturer of and dealer in harness and horse furnishing goods, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, was born in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on the 2d of February, 1835, and is a son of Anton and Annie (Bieri) Kern. His father died when he was an infant, and he was reared in his native land, receiving his education in the public schools. In 1852, in company with a brother, he sailed for America, reaching Philadelphia on the 4th of July. Going to Ragersville, Ohio, he there spent a year and a half with an elder half-brother who had come to this country several years previously. In October, 1852, he began learning the harness trade, and before completing his apprenticeship removed with his employer to Massillon, Stark County, in the same State, where he completed his apprenticeship. In May, 1856, the firm came to Iowa, offering to pay his fare if he would come and work for them, which he did. They located at Muscatine May 1, 1856, and Mr. Kern remained in their employ until they went out of business in 1859, when he removed to Grand View, Louisa County, and began business for himself. He made his home in that village until the 14th of August, 1862, when he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company G, 19th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., where he was run down by an artillery Captain and seriously injured. He was placed in a hospital, and July 29, 1863, was transferred to the invalid corps, and a member of the 13th company, 2d Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps. His company was stationed at the United States Marine Hospital at St. Louis, but he never fully recovered from his injuries, and was discharged June 29, 1865.

On his return from the army Mr. Kern resumed business at Grand View as soon as his health would permit, remaining there until the fall of 1873, when he removed to Ainsworth, Washington Co., Iowa, where he opened a harness-shop, and carried on the business until the spring of 1874. He next worked in a collar factory from June until November, and then opened a shop at Letts, a few miles distant from Grand View, where he carried on business until 1876, at which time he opened his present establishment at Columbus Junction.

Mr. Kern has been twice married; his first union, with Miss Rosina Bohren, was celebrated at Muscatine, Iowa, Feb. 17, 1859. The lady was born in Switzerland, and was a daughter of Frederick Bohren, and emigrated from her native country to America in the spring of 1856, going directly to Muscatine. Thirteen children were born of their union, six sons and seven daughters, six of whom are now living: Charles, born Dec. 12, 1859, died Feb. 16, 1888; Emma, born May 1, 1861, died Aug. 31, 1862; Emma, born May 1, 1861, died Aug. 31, 1862; Emma N., born Nov. 22, 1862, is the wife of J. R. Smith, of Columbus Junction; Frederick, born June 14, 1865; Franklin, born July 22, 1867; Lydia, born Jan. 23, 1875; Anna, born Dec. 28, 1876, died Sept. 7, 1877; Esther, born in March, 1879, died Aug. 27, 1888; Clarence, born July 13, 1881. The death of Mrs. Kern occurred Nov. 17, 1884, and he was again married Dec. 17, . . .

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. . . 1885, at Columbus Junction, to Miss Lucinda Stilleon, daughter of Thomas Stilleon, and a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. They are the parents of one child, a daughter, Oria, born April 18, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Kern are members of the Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of Todd Post No. 116, G. A. R., of Columbus Junction. A thorough master of his business, and an industrious, upright man, he has many warm friends among the best class of people wherever he has lived.