My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. NEWELL KERR (deceased), was, during his lifetime, a prominent man, not only as an agriculturist, but a local politician as well; he was the only one of the name in Miami Co. that espoused the Republican cause, but his motive for doing so was no doubt a pure one. His marriage to Mrs. Martha J. Kerr was celebrated Sept. 21, 1851, and for three years they resided on the farm now owned by Joseph Conrey, on the Dayton Pike; from there they came to the beautiful farm upon which Mrs. Kerr now lives, which is appropriately named Glen Forest. Mrs. Martha Kerr is a daughter of John D. and Nancy Fowler, who came to this country in 1821, and were always prominent citizens. The death of Newell Kerr occurred July 16, 1876; in his lifetime he was a prominent Magistrate, and, during a nine-years official career, never had one of his decisions reversed; he held a commission as Captain in the Home Guards, but, when the war broke out, resigned his captaincy and enlisted in Co. L, 8th U. S. C.; he was in Hunter’s memorable raid through the Shenandoah Valley, and endured many hardships and privations; he was captured by the rebels at Beverly, W. Va., and thrown into Libby Prison, the horrors of which are graphically described in the history of the civil war in America; he was exchanged after forty days’ confinement, weighing 180 pounds upon entering the prison, and only ninety-eight pounds when released; this was caused by starvation alone, and the blood-curdling tales related by those who were confined in that prison pen are truly appalling; he was discharged in April, 1874, having given his life almost in the defense of his country; all their children were born before his enlistment— John F., Edward V., Rhoda, Hamilton, Lulu M., Carey F. and Carrie Evalyn; Mrs. Kerr’s son by her first husband, also enlisted, and died during his term of service; four of the children are married; Hamilton married Miss Eva Martin, of Xenia, Ohio, and manages the farm, which is beyond question the best-arranged farm in Monroe Township; the elegant residence is luxuriously furnished; everything that wealth can procure is lavishly supplied; books, music, works of art, etc., are everywhere seen in profusion; the style in which they live is not equaled, perhaps, by any family in the county. Mr. Kerr was one of the leading spirits in the Kentucky Home Grange, which was organized under his management, and he was a number of terms Master of Tippecanoe Lodge, A., F. & A. M.; he was an honorable, conscientious man, and did his whole duty as a husband and father, a neighbor and a soldier.