From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 767. City of La Crosse JOHN KERN, blacksmith, on Fifth street, between Market and Winnebago, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1840, son of John Kern, Sr., who was also a blacksmith, and died in Baden in 1867. Mr. Kern learned his trade of his father; came to the United States in 1865 and settled in La Crosse, where he has since resided. He was married in La Crosse in 1865, to Miss Koenigunda Groman, also a native of Baden. Mr. and Mrs. Kern have had two children, and both died in infancy. [I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!]