Franklin Kerr, son of Philip Gerhart and Elizabeth (Kerr) Hartzell, was born in Rockhill, Pennsylvania, Sept. 29, 1844. Studied medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1868 as Doctor of Medicine. Took post graduate course and a special course in operative surgery at Keene's School of Anatomy and had private instruction in microscopy from Professor Tyson, of Philadelphia. He had commenced practicing in Guthsville, when, late in 1868, he passed an examination for assistant surgeon in the United States Navy, and served until 1873. In 1871, being on the battleship "Palos," he took part in the war with Korea. Dr. Hartzell then resigned and became cashier of the Girard Savings Bank, of Allentown, until 1877. From that year until 1886 he was assistant postmaster in the city of Allentown, then teller in the Lehigh Valley Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and afterward assistant secretary and treasurer of the same institution. He is a Republican. Dr. Hartzell married, Oct. 7, 1877, Alice, a daughter of Reuben and Eliza (Stahr) Knecht, granddaughter of Thomas and Magdalena Loudenberger, and of Rev. Lewis and Catherine (Wolfinger) Stahr, and a great-granddaughter of John and Catherine Stahr. Dr. Hartzell and his wife have one son: Alfred Stanley, a lawyer.