Northwest near a creek branch stood a tannery begun by John Frederick and Philip Kerner, two sons of Joseph Kerner, for whom the town was named. During the War between the States from 1861 to 1865, Nathaniel and Israel Kerner operated the tannery, producing leather goods for the Confederacy, including harnesses, saddles, and shoes. The tannery remained in existence until about 1912, and its memory survives in the street name Tanyard Lane.