Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 167.
 
J. C. McKERN

     has been engaged in business as a blacksmith of Yamhill for more than a
quarter of a century and now owns the leading shop of the town. His birth
occurred in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 19th of October, 1856, his parents
being Henry P. and Katherine (Collins) McKern, who were natives of North
Carolina and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in Indiana and later
removed to Iowa, there continuing to reside until the spring of 1862. At that
time they crossed the plains with an ox team to Walla Walla, Washington, where
they made their home until 1865, which year witnessed their arrival in Linn
county, Oregon. There Mrs. McKern passed away in August, 1867. The following
year Henry P. McKern took up his abode near McMinnville, Yamhill county. His
demise occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Maddux, in 1888. His children
were twelve in number, as follows: Mrs. Sarah Waldrip, who resides in Eastsound,
Washington; Abraham P., living in Bellingham, Washington; William, who makes his
home at Dee, Oregon; Mrs. Emma Wells, of Ashland, Oregon; Samantha Clementine,
the wife of William Mellis, of Wapato, Washington; J. C, of this review, who is
a twin brother of Samantha C.; Jane, Lawson, Spencer, Mary and Katherine, all of
whom are deceased; and one who died in infancy.
     J. C. McKern acquired only a limited education in his youth but by reading,
experience and observation has become a well informed man. When a youth of
thirteen he secured employment on a neighboring farm and was actively engaged in
the work of the fields until 1881. Subsequently he spent three years as an
apprentice at the blacksmith's trade in Yamhill and in 1885 opened a shop of his
own, having conducted the same continuously since. His business has steadily
grown until his establishment is now the leading one of that character in
Yamhill. He owns his place of business and his residence and also has other
property interests.
     On the 28th of January, 1885, Mr. McKern was united in marriage to Miss
Martha F. Hunsaker, who was born near Salem, Marion county, Oregon, on the 18th
of April, 1864, her parents being Thomas H. and Elizabeth Jane (Miller)
Hunsaker, natives of Missouri. The father's birth occurred in 1827, while the
mother's natal day was January 1, 1831. In 1847 they crossed the plains with
their respective parents, settling in Marion county, Oregon, where they spent
the remainder of their lives. At the time of his demise Thomas H. Hunsaker owned
eight hundred acres of valuable land in that county. He lived to attain the age
of seventy-three years, while his wife was seventy-two years old when called to
her final rest. Their children were eight in number, namely: Angeline and
Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased; George Washington, who is a resident of
Marion county, Oregon; Jasper, who has passed away; Licurgus, living in Polk
county, Oregon; Naomi, who is deceased; Mrs. McKern; and Cora, who makes her
home in Salem, Oregon. Prior to her marriage Mrs. McKern followed the profession
of school teaching.
     In politics Mr. McKern is a democrat of liberal views. He ably served as
city treasurer of Yamhill for a period of sixteen years and is now the president
of the council. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to La
Fayette Lodge, No. 3, of Yamhill, of which he is now serving officially as
senior warden. At present he is also district deputy grand master of Lodge No.
56, I. O. O. F., of Yamhill, and acts as inner guard of the grand lodge of
Oregon. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, to which his wife
also belongs. Over the record of his entire career there falls no shadow of
wrongdoing or suspicion of evil but on the contrary his example is one worthy of
emulation, showing as it does the force of hard work, close application and
unfaltering integrity in the acquirement of notable and gratifying success. He
stands today strong in his honor and good name, strong in his ability to plan
and perform and with the confidence and good will of all who know him.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
CENSUS
1900, June 4; Yamhill Co, OR; Checowan Pct, North Yamhill, p 163
Jasper McKern, 43, Oct 1856, IA, NC, PA, mar 15yrs, blacksmith
Martha F, wife, 36, April 1864, OR, OH, MO, mar 15 yrs, 0 children

1910, April 18; Yamhill Co, OR; Checowan Pct, p 152
Jasper C McKern, 53, IA, NC, TN, mar 25 yrs, blacksmith
Frances, wife, 48, US, US, US, mar 25 yrs, 0 children

1920, Jan. 3; Yamhill Co, OR; Yamhill City pct 23, p 200
Jasper C. McKern, 65, IA, NC, US, telephone operator
Frances, wife, 55, OR, IL, MO, telephone operator

1930, April 5; Yamhill Co, OR; Yamhill City, p 153
Jasper C. McKern, 73, IA, NC, PA, telephone operator, mutual tel. co.
Martha F, wife, 65, OR, MO, MO, telephone operator, mutual tel. co.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.