Page 76 - MOST RECENT

At this point it is in order to discuss briefly several
individuals and firms and their business connections.
First to be mentioned is the tan yard operated by the
sons of Joseph Kerner, John Frederick and Philip. This
business of preparing leather from the skins of animals
began in 1873 and continued for 75 years. In the next
generation, Israel and Nathaniel, sons of John Frederick,
operated the Tannery and expanded the business. They
made leather for use by the Confederacy during the Civil , \
War. The location of the Tannery was at the branch
east of the First Baptist Church. Its memory is perpet-
uated in naming the large and well appointed apart-
ments on South Cherry Street "The Tan Yard Apart- Dr. Richard H. Whitaker graduated from the University of 1 orth Caro-
lina Medical School in 1932 and the University of Pcnnsylvan;a in 1934.
ments". He hegan his practice of medicine in Kernersville in July, 1935. For 24
years his office was located in his residence at 120 North Cherry Street.
Israel Kerner, in addition to his tan yard and farm- In December, 1959, his office was moved into its present quarters at 133
South Main Street. Pictured are: Dr. Whitaker, nurses Mary N. Angel,
ing, kept a hotel and store on the lot now occupied by Roma S. Welch and Patricia F. Walker.
the home of H. E. Crawford, Sr. Mr. Kemer's buildings
mayor. Our special interest here is in Dr. Kerner as a
burned in 1912.
businessman. He had a water power mill on what was
In 1846 Haley Davis, saddler and harness maker,
later to become the Cy Fulp farm. The large pond was
located on the lot just north of the Styers place and now
known as "Dr. Kemer's Mill Pond". He later moved
a part of Dr. Whitaker's property. John Henry Hester,
his mill to town where it was powered by steam. Dr.
merchant and trader, built the home, recently tom
Kerner was also a brick manufacturer and his product
down, across from the S & R car lot. He also had what
contributed greatly to the growth of the town.
is now the home of P. J. Nash and used part of it in his
Other businessmen mentioned in the early records
business.
were G. W. Stuart, John Hooper and J. J. Hine, coach-
Joseph Armfield, farmer and wheelwright, bought
maker; A. H. S. Beard, hatter and farmer; Dr. A. D.
property on the west side of Danville Road. To Arm-
Lindsay, merchant; Joseph E. Kerner, Postmaster and
field went the distinction of being the first mayor of
Deputy Sheriff; Robert Fulton, farmer and builder; and
Kernersville. Also the street near where his home stood
John W. Gentry, merchant.
is named Armfield Street.
Anderson Lewis and William A. Griffith were part-
ners as coachmakers. Mr. W. A. Griffith was the great
grandfather of our fellow citizens, George Vance Fulp
and Paul Fulp. He was also a member of Kemersville's
first Board of Aldermen. After Mr. Griffith's death the
Kernersville V e t i -
firm became Lewis and Huff with Elias Kerner Huff as nary Hospital, opened
in Kernersville in
the new, young, energetic partner. Their place of busi- 1969 by Roderick C.
Jordan, B.S. degree
ness, where the Black home now stands, bore the sign, from N. C. State;
D.V.M. from the Uni-
"Lewis & Huff, Carriage Makers and Undertakers". versity of Georgia.
Dr. Elias Kerner, who had graduated in medicine
at Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, cast his lot
with his friends and relatives in his home village. In
addition to being a prominent physician, he was active
in church and civic affairs and served several terms as

Dr. Floyd J. Southard is a graduate of Wake Forest University. H e
received his D.D.S. degree from the Dental School of Emory University,
Atlanta, graduating in 1952. H e came to Kernersville in August, 1952, Dr. Robert B. Dalton graduated from Davidson College in 1955 and
practicing in the Pinnix Building for ten years. H e has b een located at 138 from the Medical College in 1962. He was then located at 1 orfolk General
W est Mountain Street since 1962. Pictured are: Mrs. Ruth Cavenaugh, Dr. Hospital. H e established his dental practice in Kernersville in 1965. His
F. J. Southard, and Mrs. Jean Warren. office staff includes Judy Leonard, Carol Beanblossom and Kay Lineberry.

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