Kernohan

(submitted by Glen and Mildred Kernohan)

William Kernohan Sr. (1836–1915) grew up in Ballymena, Ireland. As a young man he joined the constabulary, patrolling the fishing docks. He also acted as magistrate drawing up wills, deeds and marriage licenses. When he was 23 he went to Scotland where he met Margaret Miller (1842–1929), the adopted daughter of Sarah MacKenzie, and her sea captain husband James Miller of Saltscoat, Scotland. They were married in 1861. William and Margaret set sail to Canada with their 6 month old son, John, in 1863.

The Kernohan family arrived in Warwick Twp. that fall and spent time at Isles (possibly Iles) Corners near Wisbeach. William worked at cutting logs. Margaret became quite homesick. In 1864 they moved to the farm on Lot 4, Con. 7 NER (Hickory Creek Line). This is the farm that was owned by Basil Kernohan from 1925 to 1977 and then by Glen Franklin Kernohan. The move from Wisbeach was by wagon and oxen, but this only got them as far as 9 Sideroad because the roads were axle deep with mud and water. Then they hired a team of horses which brought them to their log cabin in the wilderness.

In 1865 the Kernohans harvested their first crop. Unfortunately Margaret dumped smoldering ashes outside which caught the wind and burned the grain stack and the log barn. Without income, they moved to Camlachie where William worked for five years as a switchman on the Grand Trunk Railroad. While in Camlachie two more sons were born, James (1865–) and David (1868–1945). Their youngest son, William Jr. (1875–1962), was born in the log cabin in Warwick Twp. This was the same year their brick house was built, using $4,000, the last of the inheritance Margaret had received from her deceased adoptive parents.

At about this time William Sr.’s parents, David and Elizabeth (Hetrick) Kernohan, his sister Margaret, and his brother John, settled on the farm nearby. John drowned in Sarnia while swimming in the St. Clair River. This farm was later owned by William Jr.’s son, David and in 2008 is owned by Glen Kernohan. Margaret married John Stewart, an Irish farmer from Bosanquet Twp.

Later in life William Sr. became a Plymouth Brethren preacher who travelled extensively in Ontario while Margaret raised the children. His grandson, Stanley Hetrick Kernohan (1893–1985), drove the horse and buggy to his grandfather’s local preaching sessions. Because his grandson was raised in the United Church he was only allowed to sit just inside the back door of the meeting hall.

William Jr. married Elizabeth Reynolds (1874–1960) and they had seven children. He was known for the manufacture of vinegar and for being a first class apple culturist. Unfortunately at the age of 13 he developed “alsike poisoning” behind his eyes from helping threshing alsike clover. He eventually went totally blind and deaf.

At the age of 53 William Jr. started collecting coins and was inspired to create a money chart, illustrating old Canadian money, for use in public schools. He received special permission to reprint money on these charts from King George VI. These charts have become a coin collector’s item, as not many copies remain.

William Sr. and Margaret Kernohan’s son David married Lois Emma Jenken (1871–1946). Their son Stanley Hetrick Kernohan married Ella Mabel Wall. Stanley and Ella’s son Glen Franklin (1927–) married Vera Mildred Anderson (1926–). Glen and Mildred’s children are Mildred Diane Dejean (1948–), Carol Ann Jones (1952–) and Marilyn Grace Morrison (1956 –).

Chapter 24 of 25 - Kernohan Family

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