Hiram O. Kerns

Hiram Oscar Kerns (December 14, 1853 – June 27, 1931) was an American Democratic politician who served as a member of the Virginia Senate, representing Halifax County from 1906 to 1908.[1]

He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1901 to 1902.

Hiram was born in Lancaster County Pa. in the year 1852 while his mother was visiting her family in the Township of Paradise, Pa. He was later raised in Gloucester County Va. and attended Gloucester Academy until he was old enough to help his farther. In 1875 he married Julia Trevilian who was born and raised in Gloucester. He was 23 and she was 18. They the proceeded to set a Kerns record: twelve children-7 boys and 5 girls. One wonders how they found the time to have so many children. Hiram is reported to have explained that the family home was situated next to the railroad tracks and they were awakened by old “Number Nine” early each morning. Sleep then evaded them he said and there was nothing else to do unto dawn. Apparently they were not into jogging….. but Hiram did have a sense of humor.

    The family home was indeed located by the railroad tracks. More correctly it was once the Sutherlin Inn. Hiram purchased the inn to accommodate his family. They only had two children at the time but Hiram liked to plan ahead. It took quite sometime to renovate the inn but the home became modern marvel for its day when the renovations were completed in 1913. It had central heat, running water, and its own electricity. However, in spite of these modern conveniences the family still had to obtain ice from the mill pond during the winter and store it in a below ground icehouse. The ice would be used to keep food from spoiling and would last through the summer into September or October. Unfortunately their home was destroyed by fire in 1916 and the <

family relocated to Danville.

    Hiram created a truly astonishing business and civic career. He first learned the milling trade from his farther and worked as a miller himself for a short time in Gloucester Va. He then went to work for the county as a tax collector. It appears that he left the Gloucester area and move to Knoxville Tn. where he managed a hotel. In 1880 he moved his family to Sutherlin Va. in Halifax County Va. which is in the central southern part of Virginia bordering North Carolina. Sometime after the Civil War had visited Sutherlin to help his farther Maris Vernon Kerns, they were contracted as millwrights to install updated machinery in Sutherlin Grist mill for (CSA) Major William Sutherlin thus converting the mill into a roller mill that would make high quality flour. (It was the

” Sutherlin Mansion” in Danville that was used as the last capitol of the Confederacy. Major and Mrs. Sutherlin opened their home to President Jefferson Davis and members of his cabinet during the last days of war. It was in the Sutherlin Mansion that Davis authored his last (Proclamation to the Confederacy). Hiram first purchased the foundry located next to the mill from Maj. Sutherlin. In 1895 Hiram purchased the mill from the present owner John Anderson. Hiram operated the mill until 1916 when his home burned in Sutherlin. He then turned the day to day operation over to his son Hiram Oscar Jr. (Oscar). Oscar and his brother Trevilian Agustis Kerns purchased the mill from their farther. Oscar later bought out Trevilian’s share and operated the mill until he retired in 1964. The mill continued operation as Kerns Mill with Robert S. Norfleet Oscar’s son in-law owning and running the mill until he passed away in 1968. (For more information on the mill see “History of Kerns Mill” provided in a separate book at this location).

    Danville benefited for a strong post war economy in the late 1800’s that was mostly driven by tobacco. It was during this period that most if the homes on “Millionaires Row” (Main Street) were built. Hiram must have sensed an opportunity in banking we learned that he became the president of the South Boston Savings Bank and later participated in the forming of a new bank to meet the needs of farmers, The American National Bank of Danville, where he also served as president.
     Oscar was also very active in civic areas. He served as the President of the “Sons of the Virginia 5th Calvary”. Formed the “Virginia Tobacco Growers Association” to help insure tobacco farmers received fair prices. Was elected and served a term in the “Virginia Senate”. Was very active in the Masons where he was twice elected “Grand Mason of Virginia”. 
     Oscar indeed had many accomplishments in his life, but perhaps the one that has had the most impact in his community was a venture that was seen by him and some others as a need in his Sutherlin community. When he first moved his family to Sutherlin members of the community had to travel several miles over dirt roads that were often impassable to attend church. In 1892 the corner stone was laid in preparation for the building of Sutherlin Methodist Episcopal Church. Oscar had donated the land and much of the materials for building the church. It was built by members of the community and the work completed in 1893. A cemetery was located at the back and enclosed with a tall and sturdy wrought iron fence. A Masonic Lodge was located on the 2nd floor, over the sanctuary, with a separate outside stairway entrance. Sometime after the depression the Masonic Lodge was merged with a larger lodge closer to Danville and that area of the church was converted into Sunday school meeting rooms. The Church is still an active part of the Sutherlin community today.
     Hiram passed away in 1931 and was buried with full Masonic Honors in the Kerns area in the cemetery behind the church he helped build. Shortly after his death the church was renamed Kerns Memorial Methodist Church.