BIO:  W. H. KERR, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Wrightsville Borough and Hellam Township, Pg 78

W. H. KERR was born in Wrightsville, October 19, 1828.  His parents were Matthew 
and Jane (Wilson) Kerr, natives of Ireland and York respectively, and the mother 
of Scotch descent.  They had a family of eight sons and one daughter, of whom 
William H. is the sixth.  He was educated at Wrightsville, and at the age of 
nineteen years he commenced boating on the Susquehanna and Tide Water Canal, and 
continued it for fifteen years.  In 1861 he began the business of lime burning 
under the firm name of Robert W. Kerr & Co.  In 1865 the firm changed to James 
L. Kerr & Co., and in 1871 to Kerr, Cook & Co., in 1879 to Kerr, Wetzel & Co.  
During all these changes, the subject of this sketch retained his interest in 
the firm, being most of the time on the road, selling or collecting for the 
firm.  October 25, 1857, he was married to Eliza Beaverson of Wrightsville, and 
has twelve children, seven of whom are living:  Kate, Sarah B., Gertrude, 
Matilda G., Eliza B., Harry B. and Sewell.  Mr. Kerr and family belong to the 
Presbyterian Church.  Although living all his life in York County, he has never 
been drawn as a juror, nor had he ever been in court as a witness in any case.  
About half his time is spent in traveling, in the interest of the firm.  His 
father died in 1859, aged sixty-eight years.