BIOGRAPHY: Charles L. C. Kerr; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

CHARLES L. C. KERR is Cashier of The National Bank of Newburgh, and is one of
our most enterprising business men. He was born and bred in this city, with
whose history and success his own has been thoroughly identified. With all
with whom he comes in contact in any way he is very popular and justly
esteemed. Ever since he entered the business world, which he did in his
seventeenth year, he has been connected one. capacity or another with this
noted banking institution, and from time to time has been promoted, for the
past five years serving in his present capacity and as Secretary of the Board
of Directors.

Our subject is a son of George W. Kerr, who was born in Warren County, N. J.,
February 15, 181o. His ancestors were originally from Scotland, but his
father, Jacob, was a native of Free-hold, N. J., and was there engaged in the
lumber business. In his early manhood, George W. obtained a position in the
Ithaca (N. Y.) branch of the Bank of Newburgh, and in 1830, when the Ithaca
Bank was established, he became one of its employes, remaining there until
October,1831, when he accepted a position in the bank of Newburgh. In 1836 he
was promoted to the position of Cashier, and in 1854 was elected President to
fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Chambers. When The National Bank
of Newburgh was organized in 1864, he was honored with the Presidency of the
new concern, and continued as such until his death, or for thirty-seven years.
The Directors of the bank pronounced upon him this just tribute to his worth:
"His sound judgment, perfect integrity and eminent ability have been long
recognized in financial circles, and his excellence in all the relations of
life will long be remembered in this community. By us, his immediate
associates, and by all in any capacity attached to this bank, his memory will
always be cherished. He has left to his family and this community, where he
has spent so many years of a long and useful life, a legacy better than
earthly riches-a good name." For forty-seven years he was a Vestryman in St
George's Protestant Episcopal Church, and for thirty-one years was Treasurer
of the Board. Among the resolutions which the Vestry of the church adopted
occurs the following: "It is with grateful feeling that we remember the steady
consistency of his Christian walk, his uprightness as a business man, his
value as a citizen, his zeal as a churchman. We owe him no slight debt for.
his faithful services as our Treasurer for thirty-one years, during which time
his unflagging attention to the affairs of the parish has contributed
essentially and in a large degree to its stability and prosperity." The death
of Mr. Kerr took place June 3, 1890. He was a Trustee and Vice-President of
the village in 1856, and from 1852 to 1854 was a member of the Board of
Education.

George W. Kerr was twice married, his first union being with Emeline Ross, and
his second with Margaret T. L., daughter of Rev. John Brown. The latter was
born in New York City and graduated from Columbia College, afterward entering
the Episcopal ministry. He was the first Rector of St. George's Episcopal
Church, and under his direction the old stone edifice was constructed. His
services in the Master's vineyard covered some sixty-three years, as at the
time of his demise he was over ninety-three years of age. Mrs. Kerr died in
1877, aged about fifty-four years. In the parental family there were twelve
children, all but one of whom grew to maturity. Of the sons, John B. is
Vice-President of the New York, Ontario & Western Rail-way, having his
headquarters in New York City; Walter is Vice-President of the New York Life
Insurance and Trust Company; and George W. is a well known medical
practitioner of the metropolis. The daughters are residents of this city.

Charles L. C. Kerr was born in Newburgh, August 27, 1855, and in boyhood
attended the public schools. Later he entered the Newburgh Academy, from which
he graduated when a little over sixteen years of age. In 1872 he entered The
National Bank of Newburgh as Junior Clerk, later he was promoted to the
position of book-keeper, was Teller for eight years, and for the past five
years has served as Cashier. In his political affiliations he favors the
Democracy.

In 1884 Mr. Kerr married Miss Mary E. Ward, of this city, whose father, Luther
C. Ward, was formerly engaged in ship-building, being a mem-ber of the old
firm of Ward & Stanton. Two children have come to bless the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Kerr, Helen and Ludlow. The parents are members of St. George's Episcopal
Church.