John Fern Sr

      John Fern Sr was also known as John Farren.¹ He was born in May 1829 at County Armagh, Ireland. John Fern's naturalization petition states he was 37 yrs old in 1865, the year of his emigration.^2,3,4,5,1 He was the son of Francis Fern and Mary Duffy.

John Fern Sr married Mary Rice, daughter of John Rice, on 17 November 1856 at St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow, Springburn Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Donald Coonrod relates:On the other side of the family tree, I have learned that the marriage of John Fern and Mary Rice was 'solomized according to the forms of the Roman Catholic Church' in the chapel of St. Mungo's Cathedral on Stanhope Road on November 17, 1856 in Glasgow, Scotland, county Lanark. John McGuire and Mary O'Neal of Glasgow were witness and Rev. Chilsholm performed the ceremony. John was 28 and Mary 25 at the time. He was working as a coal miner and she as a cotten mill worker. The record shows that John Ferns father was Francis Fern (after whom my great Uncle Francey was named no doubt) who was a letter carrier (this indicates he was literate). John Fern's mother was Mary Duffey and she was deceased by the date of the marriage. These are my GG grandparents. The record also shows that on the other side Mary Rice (Ryiss's) parents were John Rice (gardner by trade) and Mary McCann. I believe this is the first time these ancestors have been identified.⁶

John is head of household on the census of 7 April 1861 at Woodburn Land 1 Springburn Rd, Springburn, Pariish of Springburn, Lananarkshire, Scotland, as John Ferren. He is a 32 year old male born circa 1829 in Ireland. He is an ironstone miner. Enumerated with him were Mary Rice, Roseanna Fern and Francis M. Fern.⁷ John Fern Sr emigrated in April 1865 from Liverpool, England, to New York City.⁸
John Fern Sr is head of household on the census of 1 June 1870 at Hickory Twp, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, as John Fearns. John is listed as a coal miner and his age is given as 40 years. He was born in Ireland. Enumerated with John Fern Sr on this 1880 census were Mary Rice, Roseanna Fern, Francis M. Fern, John Fern ll, James E Fern, Joseph P. Fern and David Fern.⁹
John Fern filed his Declaration of Intent for Naturalization at the Court of Common Pleas in Mercer County 10 Oct 1870, the same day Daniel Harrigan filed his intent.^10,8 John Fern Sr was naturalized on 2 November 1872 at Mercer, Mercer County, Pennsylvania; witness for the naturalization was P.W. Messick.¹¹
He owned property in Kansas, including a home and a farm 2 1/2 miles west of Scammon, near Corona. He is remembered by my mother who lived on his farm for a little while as a small child. Near-by Carona is remembered for its large immigrant population--French, Austrians and others--and their diverse customs. Like the Irish, many of these immigrants were Catholics, which gave them common bonds.¹²

John is head of household on the census of 1 June 1880 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as John Ferns. John is a white male aged 50 years. He works as a coal miner and was born in Ireland. Both of his parents were also born in Ireland. James Earles is a boarder in this household. He is a widowed white male 59 years old. He works as a coal miner and was born in Ireland. Both of his parents were born in Ireland. Mary E McMillan is a single white female 5 years old. She is listed as a grand daughter of James Earles and is attending school. She was born in Ohio. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother was born in Ohio. Enumerated with him were Mary Rice, Roseanna Fern, Francis M. Fern, John Fern ll, James E Fern, Joseph P. Fern, David Fern, Elizabeth Fern and Mary Fern.¹³ John Fern Sr was the godparent at the baptism of Teresa Brady on 24 December 1882 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas.¹⁴

John is head of household on the census of 15 March 1885 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as John Ferin. John Fern is listed as a 55 year old white male who works as a farmer. He came from Ohio to Kansas and was born in Ireland. Enumerated with him were Mary Rice, James E Fern, Joseph P. Fern, David Fern, Elizabeth Fern, Mary Fern, Roseanna Fern, John Gillespie Sr, Mary Gillespie and James Gillespie.¹⁵

John is head of household on the census of 15 March 1895 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as John Ferns. John is listed as 67 years of age and was born in Ireland. He came from Ohio to Kansas and works as a miner. Enumerated with him were Mary Rice, David Fern and James E Fern.¹⁶

John is head of household on the census of 1 June 1900 at Mineral Twp, Cherokee County, Kansas, as John Ferns. John is 71 years old and was born May 1829 in Ireland. He has been married for 44 years. Enumerated with him were Mary Rice.¹⁷ John Fern Sr was a godfather of Ella Fern, his grand daughter, on 24 June 1902 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas.¹⁸
The following article appeared in the Scammon paper: Uncle John Ferns will leave about the middle of next week for a visit back to Youngstown, Ohio. Mrs. Ferns has been there for several weeks and Uncle John will join her and renew old acquaintances of a quarter century ago.¹⁹

John Fern Sr died on 25 June 1908 at Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas, at age 79.²⁰
An obituary was in the local newspaper: One of the oldest and most respected citizens of this city died at his home early yesterday morning of heart trouble. John Fern Sr. was born in Ireland and was more than 80 years old. For the past 28 years he has been a resident of Scammon and has a circle of friends all over the county who will regret his death. He was the father of ten children, seven of whom are now living. His wife died a year ago last December and many of our readers will remember the sad ending of this worthy woman. The funeral services will be held Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, at St. Bridget's church and internment in the Catholic cemetery following. The Miner extends sympathy to those who feel the loss of a father, grandfather, and friend.²¹
John Fern Sr was buried on 28 June 1908 at St. Bridget's Cemetery, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas..²⁰