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 RS. MARTHA P. KERN is the widow of Ambrose Kern, formerly a prominent citizen of Mattoon. She is descended from New England lineage, from which source so many noble women, faithful wives and self-sacrificing mothers on the Western frontier, have sprung, and is the daughter of Eliphalet and Amelia (Lemons) Pearson, the former a native of Massachusetts rind the latter of Indiana. Her grandfather, likewise Eliphalet Pearson, was a native of Boston. Mass. Her father, Eliphalet Pearson, had received practical education in childhood, and when fourteen years of age, he left home and went to Jeffersonville, Ind.. where he married and engaged in the grocery business, continuing in that occupation until 1821. He then removed to Springville, Lawrence County, and there opened a wholesale and retail dry-goods house. He remained in this place until his death, which occurred in 1862. His widow is still living at Bedford, Lawrence County, having reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. They had a family of ten children, four now living. In 1841 Mrs. Kern was married to Madison Paugh, a native of Bloomington, Ind. Mr. Paugh was a merchant in Springville, Ind., and died in 1850. One son was born of this marriage—Walter Paugh, a resident of Columbus Junction, Iowa. He was married to Miss Kate Neeley, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and has one son—Charles. Mrs. Paugh’s marriage to Ambrose Kern took place in 1858, in Springville, Ind. Mr. Kern, formerly a resident of Bedford, owned a large farm at Fayetteville, where he had been extensively engaged in stock-dealing. He was a man of excellent business qualifications, and in 1862 came to Mattoon, and during his residence here was engaged in the dry-goods business, identifying himself with the interests of the city throughout the remainder of his life, his uprightness in business, and geniality in social life, endearing him to a large circle of friends. He erected several valuable buildings for mercantile purposes on Broadway, and was a stockholder in the First National Bank. He voted with the Republican party, and took an active interest in municipal affairs, serving on the City Board several times, and also as Alderman. By her last marriage Mrs. Kern had a family of three children, two of whom are now living: Minnie, the wife of Robert Jordon, is the mother of one child, Frank; Charles is a graduate of the Commercial College at Terre Haute. Ind., and is now a resident of Kansas City, engaged in business with the firm of Abernethy & Co., wholesale furniture dealers. Mrs. Kern was deprived of her beloved husband, by death, in 1879. She possesses a sincere Christian character and cultivated mind, and is actively interested in promoting the cause of Christ in the Methodist Church, of which she is a highly esteemed member. She is also warmly interested in the temperance cause, and is a member of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Kern is a stockholder in the First National Bank, and manages her property and business affairs with excellent judgment. |
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