KERN-L Archives

From: Stephanie Sampson <>
Subject: [KERN-L] Christian Kern - St. Clair Co., MI
Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 15:13:05 -0700

Posted on: KERN Biographies
Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/k/e/KERN/biographies?read=3

Surname: KERN
-------------------------

Biographical sketch of CHRISTIAN KERN from the book entitled, "Biographical
Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen
Publishers in Logansport, Indiana.

============================================
This bio spans two (2) pages: 239-240

CHRISTIAN KERN

The prosperity and substantial welfare of a city are in a large measure
due to its business and industrial enterprises. It is the progressive,
wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community and
his influence as a potent factor of the body politic is difficult to estimate.
The well-known spirit in one of Port Hurons important industries and as
such he has contributed much to the material and financial standing of
the city as an important business center. Christian Kern is a creditable
representative of the German element in our national life, an element that
has done more to promote success along industrial, business and intellectual
lines than any people that have found refuge on American soil. He was born
in the kingdom of Wrtemberg, November 7, 1848, grew to maturity in his
native land and received his educational discipline in its public schools.
Reared to industrious habits, he early formulated plans for his future
course of action and while still a youth decided to leave the fatherland
and seek his fortunes in America, of which country he had read much and
heard many favorably (sic) reports. In the fall of 1867 he bade farewell
to the familiar scenes of his childhood and in due time reached the shores
of the United States, where, under new and changed conditions, he entered
upon a new destiny. After remaining a few months in the city of Cincinnati,
Mr. Kern proceeded as far west as Muscatine, Iowa, and a little later went
to Chicago, Illinois, and in 1870 came to Port Huron, Michigan, where he
has since carried on the brewing business very extensively, building in
1894 one of the largest, most complete and in every way one of the most
successful breweries in the state. His operations have greatly increased
in scope and magnitude and to meet the heavy demands for his product the
plant is kept running at its full capacity, his brands having a very extensive
sale all over Michigan and throughout a number of neighboring states. Mr.
Kerns financial success has been commensurate with the energy and enterprise
with which he has prosecuted his business, and his reputation for honorable
dealing in all of his relations with his fellow men has been such as to
gain for him the unbounded esteem of his patrons and the public generally.
He takes a lively interest in the material prosperity of his adopted city
and lends his aid and influence to all movements and enterprises with that
object in view. He has served several years as a member of the common council
and, as alderman, was instrumental in bringing about much important municipal
legislation. He has also been honored with a place on the board of estimates,
where his sound judgement and conservative business methods had much weight
with his fellow members. He is looked upon by all who know him as a man
of high character and sterling worth and his influence on business and
financial interests of the city has been such as to gain for him a prominent
standing among the leading business men of this part of that state. He
is identified with the Pythian Brotherhood and Knights of the Maccabees,
and for a number of years has belonged to the German Aid Society, made
up of leading men of his nationality in Port Huron. He is a gentleman of
pleasing presence, courteous and companionable, and socially is popular
with a large circle of warm personal friends in Port Huron and elsewhere.
Enjoying distinctive prestige as a man and citizen, it is with much pleasure
that the foregoing brief sketch and modest tribute to his worth is accorded
a place in this volume.

============================================

PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the KERN
surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting
a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced
book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community.
Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in
the above. Thank you.

This thread:

• [KERN-L] Christian Kern - St. Clair Co., MI by Stephanie Sampson <>