J. M. M. GERNERD, editor of Now and Then, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1836, son of David and Lydia (Mohr) Gernerd. David Gernerd was of German extraction, and removed from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, to Lycoming county, in the year 1839. He settled at Muncy, where he worked at his trade, that of a chairmaker, until his death, which occurred December 31, 1846. He married Lydia Mohr, who followed him to the grave in 1855; they were the parents of one child, J. M. M. The latter was educated in the common schools, and in 1864, started a music and variety store in Muncy, Pennsylvania, which he continued until 1872. He has been a clerk in the postoffice at Muncy, and at various times, about ten years altogether, he has been employed by the First National Bank of Muncy. He has also served two terms as school director and three terms as notary public. For the last ten years he has been interested in the manufacture of bedsprings. Mr. Gernerd instituted the scheme to raise funds for the erection of a monument to the memory of Capt. John Brady; the plan was to receive $1 subscriptions; the list was started in December, 1875, and in less than four years there was a beautiful cenotaph erected at a cost of about $1,600. The unveiling of the monument took place in the Muncy cemetery, October 15, 1879, and was witnessed by thousands of spectators. Mr. Gernerd also took an active interest in securing the necessary funds to erect in the cemetery near Muncy a beautiful monument to perpetuate the names and deeds of the patriotic solders who fell while defending the Union. In June, 1868, Mr. Gernerd started a bright and interesting little magazine, known as Now and Then; it was devoted to collecting and preserving local history, and was exceedingly interesting and valuable; there were nineteen editions published from the beginning until 1878, forming the first volume, at which time it was discontinued until July, 1888, when it again appeared and has been published monthly ever since. He has a collection of Indian relies numbering over 7,000, many of which are very rare and curious, and were nearly all found in the Muncy valley; among this collection are several Indian pipes made of clay and stone, iron tomahawks, stone axes, pestles, and thousands of arrows and spearheads. In July, 1862, he was married to Louisa C. Sieger, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and to this union has been born one child, Lydia. Mr. Gernerd was a strong Abolitionist, and joined the Republican party at the beginning of that great organization.
--MEGINNESS--

J. M. M. GERNERD
Noted Historian of West Branch Valley
Passes Away at His Home in Muncy

The editor, historian and noted collector of Indian Relics, J. M. M. Gernerd, died at his home, at Muncy, on Monday morning after an illness of two weeks, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis. He was born in Lehigh county, July 22, 1832 and removed with his parents to Muncy when but three years of age, and resided there until his death.
He has long been a recognized authority on the early history of the West Branch Valley. When he was a young man he conducted a music store in Muncy and served as clerk in the Post Office and the First National Bank, and for some time was interested in the manufacture of a patent bed spring.
In 1808 he began publishing a very valuable historical and biographical magazine called "Now and Then," which was continued for many years, and those who possess complete files prize them very highly, and they found their way into many prominent libraries of this and other states.
During sixty odd years of his life lie collected Indian relics until his collection numbers thousands of specimens and is considered the finest and most complete in this country. Many valuable specimens were donated by him to Bucknell University, of Lewisburg, and Smithsonian Institute, of Washington, both of which institutions, we are advised, will be beneficiaries of his will.
Mr. Gernerd was instrumental in having the monument to Captain John Brady erected. It was dedicated in 1879 and thousands of citizens were present at the unveiling. The soldiers' monument in the cemetery at Muncy is also due to his personal efforts.
He was buried this afternoon, at two o'clock.
~Miltonian--Milton, Pennsylvania--22 Apr 1910, Friday Page 1~

From his 1910 Pennsylvania Death Certificate:

Name: Jeremiah Meitzler Mohr Gernerd
Birth Date: 22 Jul 1836
Birth Place: Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Death Date: 19 Apr 1910
Death Place: Muncy, Lycoming, Pennsylvania, USA
Father: David Gernerd
Mother: Lydia Mohr
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Retired Editor
Informant: Mrs Louise Seiger Gernerd, Muncy, PA
Burial: April 22, 1910 Muncy Cemetery
Certificate Number: 38592

From The Civil War Muster Rolls;

Name: Jeremiah M. M. Gernerd
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Birth Year: abt 1837
Enlistment Date: 29 Jun 1863
Enlistment Place: Muncy. Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA
Muster Date: 1 Jul 1863
Muster Place: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Rank: Musician
Unit Type: Infantry
Regiment: 37th Pennsylvania Militia
Company: E