Johann Konrad Kern

[2] Kern married Aline Freyenmuth in 1834, with whom he then relocated to Frauenfeld, Thurgau's capital.

[2] Freyenmuth was the daughter of a cantonal government councillor, which led Kern to become involved in Thurgau's political sphere.

[1] Kern would serve as a member of the Grand Council of Thurgau from 1832 until 1853, including nine terms as president,[3] during which time he helped to revise the canton's constitution, authored its criminal code, and sat on the education committee.

[3] Kern declined an 1849 appointment to a Swiss ambassadorship in Vienna, but later represented Switzerland internationally.

[3] During this time, he failed to mediate in the 1870–71 Franco-Prussian War, but provided assistance to Swiss nationals living in war-torn France.