Jonas was born about 1815. I strongly believe but can not prove that his parents were Henrich and Maria Elisabeth Striepy Kern of Upper Macungie Twp., in Lehigh Co., PA. There is no record of his baptism or birth but he named his first son Jonas Henry Kern which, at that time, often indicated that the grandfather's name was Henry. Maria Elisabeth was Henrich's second wife and the mother of Lucas born in 1806 and Mary, born about 1804, (who is said to have married Jonas Smith). There is a younger son, under 10 recorded in the 1820 census and 20-29 in the 1840 censuses. This would fit Jonas born about 1815. As for the 1830 census, Lucas seems to be back home (20-29) and the younger son (Jonas?) is missing - possibly living in the home of his older half-brother, Emanuel, a few houses away where there is a male too old to be Emanuel's son but the right age for Jonas. I have researched all the available information on the Lehigh Kerns and neighboring Kerns and this family is the only possibility he fits in.
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There is no record of Jonas's burial in Jerusalem Western Salisbury Cemetery, but his wife, Amanda, and his older son, Jonas Henry Kern, are both buried here.

Jonas's first wife, Catharina Knerr, born 1808, was possibly seven years older than Jonas and came from a wealthy family according to things I have read. Their first child, Sarah Anna Helena, was born in 1846 and died in 1862. The second, Jonas Henry Kern, was born in 1847. Catharina died in 1869 after suffering a stroke and being paralyzed for 7 years. I often wonder if the early death of her daughter brought on her stroke.
Jonas was not mentioned in Henrich's will. Could he have been disinherited for marrying an older, wealthier woman. There are no records found yet to back up my theory. I'm waiting to see if there is ever a DNA connection from me to this Kern family.