Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 301 - 301  

ROBERT KERR, a most genial and companionable gentleman, is, in company with his brother, the owner of 400 acres of land on sections 11 and 12, in Grand River Township, to which he came in the spring of 1882. He at once made his way into the esteem and confidence of the people of this locality, and is numbered among their most valuable citizens. He was accompanied to this county by his brother John and his sister Mary, and they were joined soon afterward by the father and two other brothers. The latter purchased 1,360 acres of land in Grand River Township, a part of which our subject and his brother John A. soon afterward relieved them of. Upon his share Robert has labored industriously, cultivating the land, repairing the old buildings and putting up new, and has now in all respects a model homestead. 

     Mr. Kerr first opened his eyes to the light in the "smoky city" of Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 6th of October, 1854, and is the son of Peter and Sarah J. (Kerr) Kerr, who were natives of County Antrim, Ireland. Peter Kerr crossed the Atlantic in company with an aunt when about seven years of age, his father having died some time previously. The mother followed later and located in Pennsylvania, where he was reared to manhood. His marriage took place in the city of Pittsburgh, where he continued until about 1855, when he removed to Brown County, Ill., and in due time became the owner of 330 acres of land. From there, in September, 1886, he came to this county, and is now living in Butler County, about ten miles east of the city of Wichita. 

     The nine children of the parental household of our subject are recorded as follows: Robert, of our sketch, is the eldest; John A. was born March 31, 1856, and operates upon the land owned by himself and our subject; Isabelle is the wife of Henry Spear, a farmer of Brown County, Ill., and they are the parents of eight children; William J. is married and a resident of Grand River Township; Mary J. is unmarried and makes her home with her father as also do the younger children - Thomas M., Samuel P., Henry and Sarah A. 

     Mr. Kerr has been familiar with farm life since his earliest boyhood, and finds in this his greatest satisfaction. He is a general favorite among the people of his community, and has been Treasurer of the School Board in his district for two years. He is a Democrat politically, and in 1887 was the candidate of that party for Township Trustee, running a very close race with his Republican opponent, and was defeated by only a few votes.

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