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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Z. E. Kerr, postmaster, Monticello, Ark. This much-esteemed and enterprising citizen owes his nativity to McNairy County, Tenn., where his birth occurred on April 29, 1845, and is the son of Andrew and Matilda (Baxter) Kerr, natives of South Carolina. In 1844 the parents emigrated to Tennessee, and located in McNairy County, where the father died in 1848. The mother died in Monticello in 1874. Mr. Kerr was educated in Tennessee, at Purdy College, but the war breaking out before he completed his studies, the school was abandoned. He served in the army the last two years of the war, mostly in cavalry service, but was detailed and served as adjutant for Col. Logan the latter part of the war. After its close he acted as book-keeper for Mr. Hussey, remaining with him for ten years, or until 1876, when he was elected county treasurer of Drew County, and was appointed postmaster of Monticello the same year. Both of these positions he held for ten years in succession. Mr. Kerr has been a faithful and efficient officer, as his holding the position for such a length of time clearly demonstrates. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., passing through its chairs, K. of H., and a charter member of this body and has represented twice at the Grand Lodge. He is also a K. of P., and has represented the order at Grand Lodge. As an officer Mr. Kerr has been careful and painstaking, as a friend, true in the needed emergency; as an associate he is full of life and fond of society, and yet, in all and everything, quiet, unobtrusive and retiring. Prudent to a fault, he is of strict integrity, and such a person as it is a privilege to esteem. He was married in 1871 to Miss Jennie Shelton, a daughter of Joseph Shelton, and to this union have been born three children: Emmet, Nannie and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are much esteemed and respected citizens.

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This family biography is one of 83 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Drew County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Drew County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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