BENJAMIN W. KERN, the third son of Elias and Hannah (Kern) Kern, was born August 4, 1860, at Slatington, and was educated in the public schools, meanwhile assisting his father on the farm. In 1880, he farmed for his father one year, then he worked some time in the slate quarry. In 1884, he engaged in merchandising at Friedens, in Washington Township, continuing there until 1892, when he removed to Slatington and continued his mercantile business to the present time (1913). His store is located at 920 Main Street. In lower Main Street, he and his sons conduct another store under the firm name of B. W. Kern & Sons. Mr. Kern is a director and the secretary of the school board. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the Knights of Malta. He and family are members of St. John's Reformed church at Slatington, where he is also an elder. While resident at Friedens he served the church there as a deacon.

Benjamin W. Kern was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1879, to Sallie A. Newhard, daughter of Peter and Harriet (Reber) Newhard, of Washington Township.