KERR, A. D.

KERR, MEAGHER, DENNISON, GILLETTE, NOONAN, HILL, BLY

Posted By: Jennifer Gunderson (email)
Date: 3/14/2021 at 19:11:00

A man well known in Clear Lake and its environs is A. D. Kerr, a retired farmer and stock raiser who until recently operated in a successful manner a tract of four hundred and forty acres in Mt. Vernon township, and who is now enjoying the fruits of his previous industry. Mr. Kerr was born October 8. 1836, in Canada, on the shore of Lake Erie. He was the son of Castle and Dorothy (Meagher) Kerr, the former a native of Argyleshire, Scotland, and the latter an American, her birth having occurred at Crown Point, New York. The father died in 1859, at the age of sixty-three years, and the mother's demise was an event of the following year, her age being fort.v-six years. Two children were born to this marriage, Mr. Kerr being the only one surviving. There were, however, seven children by the father's former marriage. Mr. Kerr's father was only ten years of age when his parents came from Scotland to America. They located in Nova Scotia, where he grew to manhood and with the exception of a few years when he followed the sea he was engaged in farming here until the time of his death.

Mr. Kerr was reared on the farm and occupied a desk in the district school as many months out of the year as his assistance in the agricultural duties could be dispensed with. In 1863 he left the parental roof and started forth to make his own fortunes in the world. He was successful in accumulating some capital and in 1863 moved to Green Lake, Wisconsin, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. This he operated until 1878, when he sold out and went to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, locating in Mt. Vernon township. Having rented land for a time, he came to the conclusion that he liked the section sufficiently well to establish a permanent home there, and accordingly he bought four hundred and forty acres, which he proceeded to improve and bring to a high state of cultivation. He devoted a great deal of attention to stock raising and feeding, his specialties being Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs. In 1906 he retired and came to Clear Lake, where he has since made his home.

Mr. Kerr has given a life long allegiance to the Republican party and has held several public offices. In the fall of 1892 he was elected county supervisor and took his seat January 1, 1893, serving for six years on the board and serving thereon with 0. J. Dennison. He has also held school offices and has been trustee and assessor of Mt. Vernon township.

Mr. Kerr was united in marriage. May 29, 1861, to Miss Sarah Gillette, a native of Canada, born in 1842, and dying in 1874. Of their five children four are living: Edward L., of Minnesota; George, of Minnesota; Elwin, of Clear Lake; and Prank, of St. Paul. In 1875 a second marriage was contracted. Miss Zora Bly, a native of New York state, becoming his wife. She died at Clear Lake, November 15, 1908, at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. Kerr was married a third time, February 16, 1910, to Mrs. Retta (Noonan) Hill, widow of William Hill.

Source: WHEELER, J. H. History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Vol. II. Lewis Publ. Co. Chicago. 1910. Transcribed by Jennifer Gunderson (Mar 2021)