What's New

Photo of the Month

Minerd.com Blog

Biographies

National Reunion

Interconnectedness

Cousin Voices

Honor Roll

In Lasting Memory

In the News

Our Mission and Values

Annual Review

Favorite Links

Contact Us

Agnes (Murray) Kern was born on Jan. 11, 1870 near Normalville, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Elijah and Hannah (Minerd) Murray.

Tragically, in May 1885, when she was age 15, she was orphaned when her parents died eight days apart. The identity of the individual who raised Agnes to adulthood is lost to history.

Reunion article, 1927

On Sept. 1, 1891, when she was 21 years of age, Agnes was united in matrimony with 22-year-old Nelson G. Kern (Dec. 7, 1869-1945), son of George and Ellen (Cramer) Kern of Normalville.

The couple went on to produce a family of six children – Anna Coffman, Mahlon S. Kern, Herbert Eugene Kern, George Kern, Ralph C. Kern and Woodrow William Kern. Sadly, son George died in infancy.

In the 1890s, the Kerns resided in Scottdale. The June 12, 1896 Connellsville Courier reported that “Walter S. Colborn has gone to Scottdale to build a house for Nelson G. Kern.” They moved to New Salem, Fayette County in about 1900, where they remained for good.

In August 1927, Nelson was re-elected president of the Fourth Annual Kern Reunion. It was held that year at the home of N.R. Lyons near Paradise, Bullskin Township, Fayette County, featuring a basket dinner. The Courier noted that "Over a hundred persons were in attendance."

The following year, "more than 100 persons mostly from Connellsville and vicinity attended the annual reunion ... at Shady Rest along the Springfield road," said the Courier. "Dinner and supper were served at long tables which were laden with all the picnic delicacies of the season." That year, Nelson was re-elected president. Said the Courier, "The 1929 reunion will be held at the old Kern homestead at Normalville."

Photograph taken 1941

Nelson’s brother Tilden H. Kern wrote the Kern Family History, published in 1960, and found in the Uniontown Public Library. He wrote that Nelson “was employed by the H.C. Frick Coke Co., as farm superintendent for many years, later retiring. Celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, September 1, 1941. Now, April, 1956 his wife Mrs. Agnes Kern is still active and enjoying good health.”

The photo seen here, of the Kerns' 50th anniversary celebration, is reproduced from the Kern Family History.

Nelson suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in about January 1944 and never recovered. He appears to have lingered at home for about 1 months. Death relieved him of his sufferings on April 4, 1945, at age 75. 

Agnes survived her husband by 17 years.

Her final years were spent residing in the home of their daughter Anna Coffman at 49 East Main Street in New Salem. Suffering from heart and kidney disease, she succumbed to death on April 30, 1962, at the age of 92. Following a funeral led by Rev. W.T. Weaver and cousin Rev. Ray G. Manley -- of the family of Christmas and Fanny (Rankin) Leonard -- her remains were interred beside her husband's at Oak Grove Cemetery in Uniontown, PA.

~ Son Mahlon S. Kern ~

Mahlon S. Kern Sr. (1896-1974) was born in about 1896.

He married Lillie Griffey ( ? - ? ) of Waltersburg, Fayette County, on Feb. 19, 1913, in Cumberland, Allegany County, MD.

They bore four children -- Alma Kern, Herbert Kern, Earl Kern and Mahlon Carleton Kern Jr.

Mahlon worked for the Coffman Motor Co. and Null Ford Sales. He was a charter member of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Department, served as fire chief for 38 years, and was a member of the Fayette County Firemen’s Association, and of the Chief and Assistant Chief’s Association.

Mill Street in snowy New Salem in the early 1900s

Lillie was active with the Great Bethel Baptist Church and taught its Collins Sunday School Class. She also was a member of the Women's Association of the church and of the Order of the Eastern Star, Uniontown chapter 263. 

Other distant cousins belonged to this church body over the years. Among them were Edward Eugene Minerd, founder of the Minerd Funeral Home; William H. and Missouri (Shelkey) Minerd; Andrew T. and Mary (Williams) Morrow; Bruce Herbert and Agnes (Cooper) Leonard Sr.; and Thomas B. and Mary (Richter) Hunt Sr. The church also hosted the wedding of Arthur Paul and Alverta Mae (Stull) Ream in 1936.

During World War II, three of their children -- Alma, Herbert and Mahlon -- served in the U.S. Armed Forces. They were pictured in a feature article the March 1, 1945 edition of the Uniontown Morning Herald. 

Mahlon and Lillie celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of their son Earl on Feb. 17, 1963. A related news story in the Uniontown Morning Herald said they were "prominent residents of New Salem" and had "been lifelong residents...." In February 1973, they observed their 60th anniversary. 

Mahlon passed away at the age of 78 on June 8, 1974, in the Laurel Rest Home in Uniontown. The Uniontown Morning Herald carried a prominent obituary. Burial was in Lafayette Memorial Park near Uniontown. 

Son Mahlon C. Kern Jr. was employed in the 1930s by Charles Hout at New Salem. In about 1938, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed for three years at Langley Field, VA. During World War II, he was a first sergeant in the 405th Bombardment Squadron of the First Air command in the South Pacific Theatre. After the war, he resided at 320 Coolspring Street in Uniontown. They had two known daughters, Jacqueline Wohler Festog and Carole Susan Wohler Lacock. The Kerns later relocated to a new home in Murrysville, Westmoreland County, PA.

• Granddaughter Carole Susan Wohler married John Fairman Lacock, son of Dr. and Mrs. Gideon S. Lacock, in Pittsburgh on May 2, 1964. They made their home in Ingomar, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where the founder of this website attended elementary and junior high school. Carole worked at First Federal Savings and Loan Association in Pittsburgh and at the time of marriage worked for Mellon National Bank and Trust Company. John, a graduate of Kiski Prepatory School and Penn State University, was employed in the Trust Department of Mellon National Bank.

Son Herbert E. Kern married Pearle Finley. They had one known daughter, Darla Joy Kern, and they resided at Penncraft, PA. After graduating from Uniontown High School in 1938, Herbert secured employment at the Norfolk Naval Yard in Virginia. When World War II broke out, he joined the Merchant Marine and trained in the finance department at Hoffman Island, NY. Later, he was chief yeoman of the engine department on the U.S. Air Force vessel, George Washington.

• Granddaughter Darla Joy Kern ( ? - ? ) 

Old Uniontown Hospital, where Alma Kern trained to be a nurse

Daughter Alma L. Kern (1920-1997) was born on Nov. 20, 1920. She never married. She was a 1938 graduate of Uniontown High School and finished her training in 1943 at the School of Nursing at Uniontown Hospital. She joined the U.S. Army during World War II in November 1944 and received further nursing education at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. She then was assigned to the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia. At one time she served as a special nurse for United States Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Later, she was a school nurse with the South Union Township School District and the Laurel Highlands School District in Uniontown. She is known to have helped organize meetings of the Uniontown Music Club held at the Great Bethel Baptist Church. She toured Australia in 1961 and was pictured in a related story in the Uniontown Morning Herald. In July 1963, in a tour conducted by the National Education Associatin in cooperation with the University of Colorado, she flew to Central America to visit schools and universities in the capital cities of Colombia, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia. Her final years were spent in Uniontown, where she succumbed to the angel of death on June 6, 1997.

~ Son Ralph C. Kern ~

Ralph C. Kern (1900-1962) was born in 1900.

He married Jean McIntosh. They resided on Esther Street in Uniontown and later at R.D. Normalville, Fayette County.

The couple did not reproduce.

The Kern History says that Ralph was a "solicitor for the Prudential Life Insurance Company for 34 years in 1956. He was one of the organizers of the Fayette Stock Yard Co. and vice president and one of its largest stockholders, and has been a director since its organization in 1937." 

Ralph suffered from an infirmity of many years, the details of which are not yet known. In January 1940, he entered the Cleveland Clinic "for a few days observation" and a resulting surgery, reported the Uniontown Morning Herald.

He died in Whitefish, MT, after becoming ill while traveling with Jean to the World’s Fair in Seattle. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Brooks Funeral Home.

~ Son Woodrow William "Woody" Kern ~

Woodrow William "Woody" Kern (1913-1996) was born on Jan. 22, 1913.

He married Regina G. McKenna (July 11, 1914-2013), daughter of Robert P. and Mary (Ryder) McKenna of Republic and later Murray Avenue in Uniontown.

They together produced four children -- Mary Louise Smith, Ralph W. Kern, Linda Lee Reichley and Martha Ann Bell.

Harrisburg, PA, onetime home of the Woodrow Kern family

Regina was an alumna of St. John's Catholic High School of Uniontown.

In 1942, they made their home in Willoughby, Lake County, OH. Later, they resided at Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA, where Woodrow was manager of the Mechanical Unit of the Pennsylvania State Police. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Circa June 1974, at the death of his brother Mahlon, Woodrow lived in Duncannon, Perry County, PA. He eventually retired from the state police and in 1996 had an address of 46 Basin Hill Road.

Sadly, Woodrow passed away in Holy Spirit Hospital on Nov. 30, 1996. The remains were lowered under the sod of Restland Cemetery in Loysville, Perry County. The Harrisburg Patriot-News  and Carlisle Sentinel both published an obituary.

Regina outlived her husband by 17 years. She maintained a membership in St. Bernard Catholic Church of New Bloomfield.

She passed away at the age of 98, on Feb. 3, 2013, in Kingston Court in York. Her mass of Christian burial was held in the family church, by the hand of Rev. Fr. Robert F. Sharman. An obituary was printed in the Harrisburg Patriot News.

Daughter Mary Louise Kern (1935-2016) was born on Nov. 5, 1935 in Star Junction, Fayette County, PA. She was a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg. Mary Lou wed Thomas Ignatius Smith Sr. (Nov. 17, 1933-2004), son of Charles E. and Helena M. (Mattingly) Smith. The pair stayed together over the span of 45 years together. Their trio of sons included David M. Smith, Thomas I. Smith Jr. and Patrick R. Smith. Thomas Sr. was a 1952 graduate of York Catholic High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Wear. The family made a home in Duncannon and New Park, PA. Said an obituary, Thomas "was the retired Owner of the former Tom's Super Thrift in Delta and was formerly employed as a Retail Field Counselor for P. A. & S. Small Company. He was a former member and Chairman of the Board of the Mid-Atlantic Food Dealers Association, York County Meat Dealers Association, former Board Member of the National Grocers Association and Penn State Atomic Energy Committee; and a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1530, Newport American Legion, and a former member and Past President of Mason Dixon Lions Club." Sadly, he died in York (PA) Hospital on Jan. 23, 2004. As of 2013, she lived in Shrewsberry, PA. At the age of 81, she passed away on Nov. 19, 2016. Her mass of Christian burial was sung at St. Mary's Church by Rev. Jonathan P. Sawicki. Her obituary appeared in the York Daily Record. She and Thomas sleep for all time in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

• Grandson David M. Smith married Beverly Ann. His dwelling-place in 2004 was in Fawn Grove, PA. 

• Grandson Thomas I. Smith Jr. wed Beverly Ann. As of 2004, he lived in New Freedom, PA.

• Grandson Patrick R. Smith was joined in wedlock with Kimberly Jo. They were in Garland, TX in 2004.

Son Ralph W. Kern ( ? - ? ) was born on (?). He joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and trained at the Naval Dental School in Bethesda, MD. Ralph was joined in wedlock with Dianne Rae Ratliff (Feb. 25, 1942-2004), daughter of Wayne and Pearl Pauline Marie (Gutzman) Ratliff of Kensington, KS. They were together for 39 years. Ralph and Dianne were the parents of Dena Kimball. The Kerns settled in about 1974 in Virginia Beach, VA and stayed for good. There, she was employed as a banquet manager by Sheraton and Lake Wright Hotels. She also was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team. Sadness blanketed the family when Dianne died on March 6, 2004. The remains were lowered under the sod of Princess Anne Memorial Park in Virginia Beach. The Virginian Pilot ran an obituary in which the family requested that any memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

• Granddaughter Dena Kern married Thomas Kimball. They put down roots in Virginia Beach.

Daughter Linda Lee Kern ( ? - ? ) married (?) Reichley. They migrated south. In 1996, they made a dwelling-place in Atlanta and in 2012-2013 were in Holiday, FL.

Daughter Martha Ann "Marti" Kern (1947-2021) was born on Dec. 8, 1947 in Harrisburg. She was a 1966 graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School. In June 1968, at age 20, Martha Ann tied the knot with George W. Bell (June 27, 1944-2012), originally from Newport, Perry County, PA and the son of Leroy J. Bell. Their union survived the ebbs and flows of 43 years' duration. Together, the pair produced two children -- George W. Bell Jr. and Stephanie A. Brubaker. George was a 1963 graduate of Green Park Union High School. In addition to raising two offspring, Martha Ann was employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until retirement. George spent his 35-year working career with Quaker Oats Company. He also held a membership in the Newport (PA) post of the American Legion and the Pioneer Hunting and Fishing Club of Ralston, PA. Said an obituary, George "was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking. He also enjoyed sports, traveling, music, gardening and being surrounded by his family and friends." They moved in November 2009 to Carolina Beach, NC, fulfilling her childhood dream to near the ocean. With his health in decline, George was admitted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he died at the age of 67 on Feb. 4, 2012. Martha Ann survived as a widow for nine years. Her obituary said that she "cherished her family and friends and was loved by all. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate even the smallest occasion. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. She truly enjoyed life and lived every day to the fullest." The angel of death clipped her away on June 6, 2021. The family requested that any memorial gifts be made to Nourish North Carolina.

• Grandson George W. Bell Jr. entered into marriage with Jamie. They dwelled in Charlotte, NC in 2012 and in Carlisle, PA in 2021.

• Granddaughter Stephanie A. Bell first was united in matrimony with (?) Brubaker. She made her residence in Carolina Beach, NC in 2012. In time, she wed again to James Lewis ( ? - ? ).

~ Daughter Anna (Kern) Coffman ~

Daughter Anna Kern ( ? - ? ) was born in (?).

She married Ernest E. Coffman (1893?-1969).

The couple produced three known children, Ray P. Coffman, Alice Randolph and Valeria Coffman.

Early in his career, Ernest formed a partnership with Ewing I. Jeffries to operate the Jeffco Garage in New Salem. They two men dissolved the arrangement as of Dec. 31, 1921, with Ernest taking full ownership. Ultimately he was owner and operator of Coffman Motor Co. of New Salem for 45 years. He was a charter member of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Company and a charter member of the New Salem Rotary Club. As well, he served as vice president of the Tri-County Men's Fellowship, and was elected at a meeting in Carmichaels, Greene County, in September 1956.

For many years, Ernest was active in lobbying for New Salem to be carved out of Menallen Township and become incorporated as a borough. In a 1948 news article, he was quoted as saying: "We're trying to mold public opinion by meetings with advisory speakers. We can't grow without a borough." In September 1948, Ernest, his son Ray and nephew Earl Kern gave talks at a meeting of the New Salem Rotary Club on "The Most Needed Project for New Salem." 

The Coffmans celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on June 15, 1961, with a banquet at the home of Ivan Carroll of Tower Hill 1. Among the attendees were their daughter and son in law Alice and Jay Randolph; daughter in law Mrs. Ray Coffman; Ralph Kern and Woodrow Kern. Another special dinner was held in their honor by the First Christian Church of New Salem, of which they were members.

Son Ray P. Coffman (1912-1956) was born on May 28, 1912. He was manager of Coffman Motors of New Salem, Fayette County. Active in the community, he also was vice president of the Uniontown Joint High School Board and a member of the New Salem Rotary Club and of the board of directors of the Fayette County Branch of the Pennsylvania Blind Association. He married Inez Levitcher, and they had two known daughters, Marilyn Rae Matthews and Marianne Coffman. Sadly, Ray died at the age of 43 on April 30, 1956, "after a brief illness," said the Uniontown Morning Herald. Funeral services were held in the Third Presbyterian Church in Uniontown, officiated by Rev. C. Edwin Houk and Rev. W.T. Weaver, followed by interment in Lafayette Memorial Park.

• Granddaughter Marilyn Rae Coffman married (?) Matthews. They lived in Richmond, VA circa 1969.

• Granddaughter Marianne Coffman made her home in 1969 in Miami, FL and in 2012 in Daytona Beach.

Mountainous Welch, WV, home of the Randolphs

Daughter Alice Catherine Coffman (1922-2012) was born on June 24, 1922 in Uniontown. She was a 1941 graduate of Uniontown High School and went on to earn her bachelor of science degree in music at Indiana State Teachers College. On March 31, 1945, Alice married Dr. John D. "Jay" Randolph ( ? - ? ), the son of Edgar M. Randolph of Connellsville, Fayette County. They met while swimming one day and eventually were wed in the chapel of the Norfolk Navy Base in Virginia, by the hand of Chaplain Dunbar. At the time, Alice was a senior at Indiana State, and Jay was with the U.S. Navy. Their only known son was Douglas Randolph. Jay was a 1937 graduate of Connellville High School. He then became employed as a machinist apprentice and journeyman toolmaker at the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company plant in East Pittsburgh. By January 1946, when their son was born in Connellsville, Jay was stationed in Cuba. Jay then attended the Massachusetts College of Optometry, graduating magna cum laude in June 1950. During this brief period in Boston, she generated income through her work at Filene's Department Store and taught music. He opened an office in 1951 in the Elm Grove neighborhood of Wheeling, WV. Then in 1953, they relocated to Welch, McDowell County, WV, where Jay went on to practice optometry for 27 years, and Alice served as his office manager. Said an obituary, Alice "was known for her gracious and pleasant demeanor and her uncanny ability to remember patients' names. In 1980 Alice retired to pursue her passion of flower gardening and decorating. Their house was always a standout in the summer for the flowers, and at Christmastime for the 'signature' Christmas tree in their front bay window and for the lights across the footbridge. Alice developed and encyclopedic knowledge of plants and flowers and always worked on making her home that much more beautiful. She was also a cook that took great pains at trying new and unique ways to cook and bake. Her 'Chicken Supreme' was top drawer as were her various bunt cakes." Alice stayed in Welch for the rest of her life and lived to the age of 89. She surrendered to the angel of death, on May 31, 2012, in Princeton (WV) Community Hospital. burial was in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, WV, presided by Rev. Chuck Hammond. 

• Grandson Douglas Randolph (1946- ? ) was born in about 1946. He was was enrolled circa March 1964 at the Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, WV, where he was a senior cadet. In 1969, at age 23, he lived with his parents in Welch, WV. He tied the marital cord with Paula. They relocated to Boynton Beach, FL. The couple's known sons are Matthew Randolph and Lance Randolph.

  Great-grandson Matthew Randolph married Terry. They have made a home in Bremen, IN.

  Great-grandson Lance Randolph wed Traci. The pair settled in Fort Wayne, IN.