Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 272 - 273

RICHARD B. KERR, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 35, Waco Township, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, and was born Feb. 16, 1848. He is the son of James and Mary A. (Elliott) Kerr, sketches of whom appear elsewhere in this volume. 

     The subject of our sketch was reared beneath his father's roof, attended the common schools of his native State and of West Virginia, at intervals throughout his boyhood and youth, and laid the foundation of an excellent education. In company with his parents, in 1856, he removed to West Virginia, where the family located in Brooke County, where he lived some fifteen years. Most of his time after he had attained the age of seventeen years was spent in the employ of his father, on a salary, and in partnership with him. The business which they gave their greatest attention to was the construction of railroads and other public works, taking many very extensive contracts. The next move which they made was to Kanawha County, W. Va., where they remained about two years and a half. The following year, 1872, our subject was employed in building a dam across the Wabash River for the Government, at New Harmony, Ind., and after its completion went to Louisville, Ky., and was engaged in the construction of the waterworks at Anchorage Asylum, near Louisville, and at the water-works of Louisville proper. On the completion of these two contracts, for a change, he accepted a position as shipping clerk at the Champion Sawmill, of the same city, in which capacity he remained about six months. Jan. 1, 1881, he took a large contract on the Mexican Central Railway, lying within the boundaries of our sister American Republic, where he was employed in working gangs of peons and natives until Nov. 23, 1883, when he returned to the United States. The next year he spent in Louisville, but wishing to settle down in a new country, where he could grow up with it, he started for Kansas, and locating at Wichita, engaged in the grocery business. This not meeting his views, he soon disposed of it and removed to the farm on section 35, where he is residing at present. 

     The marriage ceremony which united the destinies of Richard B. Kerr and Mary Ann Hays, took place on Christmas Day, 1878. The lady was born in Jefferson County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1863, and was the daughter of Patrick and Ann (Constantine) Hays. Her parents were natives of Ireland, her father born in 1827, and her mother in 1820. They had come to the United States while children, in 1830, and had been married in this country. They were Catholics in religion, and most excellent Christian people. The demise of the father took place in 1872. To them were born a family of six children, as follows: Bridget, born Jan. 11, 1855, and died Jan. 11, 1880; Joseph Patrick, who was born March 17, 1857, living in Louisville, Ky., a stone-cutter by trade; John, born Oct, 14, 1860, now working in the glass factory in Louisville; Ky.; Michael died in Nashville, Tenn., at the age of eighteen months; Mary Ann, the wife of Mr. Kerr, and James, born Aug. 15, 1865, who is living in Louisville. 

     Mr. Kerr has a very fine farm of 160 acres of land, all but five of which are brought under the plow, and are in a most excellent state of tillage. His improvements are of a high character, and his residence is pleasant and roomy. He is devoting a large share of his attention to the rearing of graded Short-horn cattle, and owns some very fine head of that strain. He is the parent of but one child, James Custer, who was born July 16, 1880, and is now attending the district school. A bright, intelligent boy, he gives great promise of future usefulness in this world. In politics, Mr. Kerr is a stanch Republican, although no politician nor seeking official position. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and takes great interest in the work of that order. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Catholic Church, and enjoys the love and esteem of the entire neighborhood.

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