BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 591-592. GEORGE KERN - A well-known citizen and business man of Bellaire is George Kern, the son of Christian and Elizabeth Kern, natives of Germany, in which country George Kern first saw the light in the year 1837. His father was a farmer, and George was occupied on the farm and in the schools of his native land until 1853, in which year he with his mother and three brothers immigrated to the United States in the search of a home in that favored land. He was one of six children, one of whom is now deceased, as is also the mother, who died in the year 1883. Christian Kern passed away in 1845 before the emigration of the family. The subject of this sketch first went to Baltimore, but remained there only a short time; he then moved to Wheeling, W. Va., and there worked at the trade of a baker until 1856, at the expiration of this time Mr. Kern changed his residence to Bellaire, and has since been a citizen of this city. In the course of a year after his removal to Bellaire he formed a partnership with J. Zilch, they carrying on a bakery business for two years. Purchasing his partner's interest in the bakery, Mr. Kern has since conducted it with much success. In the past five years he has given his attention to the insurance business to some extent. His marriage to Catherine Roeder took place in 1859, and eleven children have come to bless their union, the children's names are: Lizzie, Annie, Peter, Andrew, Louisa, Catherine, Maggie, George W., William, Rosa and August. This large and interesting family are all living with the exception of two daughters, Annie and Catherine. He and wife are members of the German Reform church, and Mr. Kern is also a member of the orders of I. O. O. F., Red Men and Druids. He has served the people of Bellaire as a councilman for five years, and has been township trustee for eight years, having been elected to these offices on the democratic ticket. Since his coming to Bellaire Mr. Kern has not only accumulated a considerable property, but has also won an enviable name in business affairs.