Portraits of Pioneers: William Kerr (1843 – 1924)
William Kerr
7 Oct 1843 — 27 Apr 1924 (aged 80)
Bio
The following is an excerpt from a book published by Chapman Brothers, 1884.
William [Wrex] Kerr, farmer, section 7, Flynn Township, was born Oct. 7, 1843, in “Old Cambridge,” Mass. His parents, Joseph and Ann (Campbell) Kerr, were born respectively in Ireland and Scotland. The father was a farmer, and when the son was but a few months old the family removed to Huron co., Ont, where the senior Kerr was again engaged in that pursuit until his death, Dec. 7, 1883, at the age of 80 years. The mother is 68 years of age and is a resident of Ontario.
Mr. Kerr was reared to the vocation of a farmer and obtained a good education in the district schools. He remained with his parents until he was 24 years of age when he was married to Tabitha E. Ervin. She was born June 21, 1851, in Oxford Co., Can., and remained with her parents until her marriage. Her father and mother, Alfred and Anna E. (Carroll) Ervin, were born in Ontario and Germany, descended from German and Irish parentage. The father died about 1873 in Marlette, Mich., when he was 47 years of age. The mother resides in Marlette and is 53 years of age. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, in the following order: Mary J., James D., Alfred A., Anna E., Joseph, William G. and Ogle V. C.. At the expiration of the first year of their marriage the parents removed to the village of Marlette, then in its incipiency, where they resided 12 years, the father being engaged in farming. In 1880 he exchanged his property for 160 acres of land, on which some improvements have been made, on sections 7, 12 and 18, in Flynn Township, of which he at once took possession and entered vigorously into the work of putting the property in first-class condition. He now has 60 acres under the plow. Mr. Kerr is a Republican in political connection and has held the minor offices in his township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Sanilac County; Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Citizens of the County. Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1884.