My Genealogy Hound

William Kerr, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Sevier County, Tenn., December 23, 1803, and is the eldest of the four children of David and Rachel (Goforth) Kerr, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and of Irish and Scotch-Irish descent. The father of David Kerr died in North Carolina, and his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Kerr, emigrated to Tennessee at a very early day. The educational advantages of William Kerr were those of the common schools; he has followed farming since boyhood, in connection with which he was engaged in-general merchandising in Rhea County, Tenn. He immigrated to Barry County, Mo., in 1839, to St. Louis County in 1849, and to his farm near Dry Branch in 1851. He engaged in merchandising near his home place, and at St. Clair nearly forty years, and as a result of his industry and business ability has amassed a good living. He was married in 1826 to Miss Martha McCarroll, a native also of Sevier County, Tenn., and a daughter of James and Hester (Routh) McCarroll. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of six children, viz., Hettie A., David M., James F., William R., Ransom P. and Mary J. (deceased). Mrs. Kerr died May 26, 1882 Mr. Kerr is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was also Mrs. Kerr; he has served as ruling elder nearly forty years, and has six times been a representative to the general assembly of the church. He is a Democrat, politically, has served for many years as justice of the peace, as well as county court clerk both in Tennessee and Missouri. He was captain of militia in Tennessee for many years.