Bios: Thomas W. and Amanda Kerr: from Armstrong County, PA

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 agless@earthlink.net

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History of Henry County Illinois, Henry L. Kiner, Volume II, Chicago:
The Pioneer Publishing Company, 1910


THOMAS W. KERR

In the death of Thomas W. Kerr, Hanna Township lost one of its best men
and a citizen of whom any community might well be proud for he was
upright, fearless and devoted to his home and family.  He was a man of
the highest integrity, gentle and warm-hearted, and he drew friends to
him and held them through life.  All who know him respected him and
although years have elapsed since he was called to his reward, his
memory is tenderly cherished.

Mr. Kerr was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and a son of
Zachariah and Margaret Kerr.  The family removed from the Keystone state
to Ohio and there Mr. Kerr resided for nine years before coming to
Illinois in 1857.  Arriving here, he located in Hanna Township, Henry
County, and in 1859 married Amanda Henninger, who survived him many
years.  He and his wife had a family of nine children, all but two
growing to maturity, and they were with him in his last illness, which
resulted in his death, February 29, 1896.

When a young man, Mr. Kerr joined the Presbyterian Church and its faith
was a great comfort and support to him during his long illness as well
as in his active days.  The funeral services were conducted in his late
residence by the Rev. s. H. Weed, of Hanna Center, assisted by the Revs.
J. H. Skidmore and Rev. S. H. Weed, of Hanna Center, assisted by the
Revs. J. H. Skidmore and W. J. Ward, while the Green River Choir
rendered some choice selections.

Mr. Kerr is remembered as a man of the highest moral character, and
although he was permitted to amass a comfortable fortune it was not
through taking advantage of his fellow creatures but as the result of
years of industry and economical habits.  A good man, he believed others
true, and enjoyed his friendship with his neighbors and his associations
with his church.

MRS. AMANDA KERR

Mrs. Amanda Kerr, widow of the late Thomas W. Kerr, was one of the most
beloved women of Henry County.  One of her most notable characteristics
was her courage, and she was industrious, while truth and uprightness
were her watchwords.  She was born in Wooster, Ohio, February 123, 1841,
a daughter of Jacob and Susan Henninger, very early settlers of Hanna
Township, Henry County, to which they came in 1846.

In 1859 Miss Henninger married Thomas W. Kerr and they commenced
housekeeeping in Hanna Township.  After his death, February 29, 1896,
she lived with her children, all of whom claimed the privilege of
ministering to her, and she died November 11, 1908, at the home of her
daughter Mrs. Percy Davis after four years of ill health as the result
of a paralytic stroke.  Mrs. Kerr bore her husband nine children and all
but two grew to mature years, namely:  Mrs. Ella Withrow, Mrs. Amy
Burton, G. W. Kerry, Mrs. Lena Withrow, Mrs. Mina Davis, J. E. Kerr, and
H. Z. Kerr, all of whom attended her funeral with the exception of Mrs.
Burton, whose home in Montford, Montana, was too far distant for to
arrive in time.  Mrs. Kerršs two brothers, George and Fletcher
Henninger, and her sister, Mrs. Phoeba Malone, were also at the
funeral.  The other members of her family who are now deceased are:
Mrs. Elizabeth Stanbro, Mrs. Harriet Bacon, John, Hiram and Mrs. Clara
Walker.

The services were held at the residence of Mr. And Mrs. Davis the
Saturday following her demise, the Rev. F. A. Smiley, pastor of the
Presbyterian Church, officiating.  The choir rendered her favorite hymns
and her remains were interred in Oakwood Cemetery.

Mrs. Kerr during her earlier life worked with tireless energy and
faithful love for her family.  She ever maintained a deep affection for
her home and the duties pertaining to it.  In her daily life she set an
example of womanly devotion and sweetness of disposition that have
helped many struggling to become better and truer wives and mothers,
while to her immediate family she was the one who was every ready to
listen and assist.  Her place can never be filled.  In the hearts of her
children she is enthroned as long as life lasts, and they look forward
to joining her with their father in the land where there are no partings
and families will once more be reunited.