Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    JAMES KERR

    JAMES KERR, deceased, was in his day one of the most prominent and successful men of affairs of Monroe Township, Miami County, Ohio, where the family has been established ever since the very earliest pioneer days. He was born on the farm adjoining the one on which his widow and sons now live, the date being November 6, 1834, and was a son of James Sr., and Sally (Thompson) Kerr, and a grandson of George Kerr.

    George Kerr, the grandfather, was born in Marietta, Ohio, whither his parents had located upon coming to this country from Ireland. They originally came from Scotland. George Kerr was a young man when he came west to Miami County, Ohio, and took up his residence in the woods of Monroe Township, becoming an extensive land owner. He was married here and reared a large family, mostly sons.

    James Kerr, Sr., was born and reared in Monroe Township, Miami County, Ohio, where he always lived and farmed. He was married to Sally Thompson, who was lost from her parents in Canada and brought to Ohio by soldiers who were fighting Indians. She had the reputation of being a very beautiful woman and lived to the age of eighty-four years, surviving her husband many years. He died in 1863, at the age of sixty-five years. They were parents of the following children: Hamilton; Hanford; George; Margaret (Sinsman); Thompson; William; Rebecca Ann, wife of Harvey Houston; James; John; Perry; and Sally Ann, who died at six years.

    James Kerr, subject of this record, never resided over a half mile from the place of his birth. He began when quite young and did most of the clearing on the home place; he was a hard worker and always followed general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of short horn cattle and Poland China Hogs. He prospered beyond the average and at his death owned a farm of I88 acres. He died July 7, 1884, and his many friends and acquaintances mourned his death as an irreparable loss to the community. He was much interested in Masonry, and was an active member of the lodge at Troy.

    March 19, 1858, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth McPherson, who was reared in Miami County, Ohio, she being a daughter of Adam D. and Rachael (Morris), McPherson. Her father was born in Clark County, Ohio, and her mother in Miami County. Mrs. Kerr was born at Logansport, Indiana, March 1, 1838, and is at present living with her sons on the old home place in Monroe Township. By her marriage she had four children, as follows: James M., who was born in Concord Township, January 15, 1859; William of Oklahoma, who married Della Westlake and has two children, Elsie and Irving; Sherman, who was born on the present farm, November 13, I866; and Albert, who was born on this farm December 31, 1868.

    James Sherman and Albert Kerr live with their mother on the home farm and carry on operations under the firm name of Kerr Brothers. They have 355 acres in Monroe and Concord Townships and follow general farming and stock raising on a large scale, buying largely in the Chicago markets. They also make a business of loaning money at interest. The Kerr brothers were reared on the farm and attended the district schools. They were reared to hard work, and having the entire confidence of their father, were taken into his business deals at an early age. They have traveled extensively over the United States, and are broad and liberal minded men. Sherman and Albert Kerr are members of Troy Lodge, No. 110, Knights of Pythias; and West Milton Lodge, No. 517, F.& A.M. Religiously, they are members of the Christian Church.

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