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Below is a family biography included in The History of Maury County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. 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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JOSEPH B. KERR, of Maury County, Tenn., was born October 19, 1838, son of William and Mary (Crafton) Kerr, born in Orange County, N. C., in 1781, and Tennessee, May, 1800. The father was twice married, the first time to Kate Ross, by whom he reared eleven children. Mrs. Kerr died in 1826, and in 1827 he married our subject’s mother, who bore him seven children. The father was a farmer and mechanic by trade, and a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died December 3, 1853, and his widow in 1875. Our subject began working for himself at agricultural pursuits when very young. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-eighth Tennessee Infantry and served until July, 1864, being a brave and faithful soldier. May 17, 1870, he married Sarah E. Barker, who died a few years after her marriage. October 21, 1875, he led to the hymeneal altar Harriet E. Davidson, who was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., March 28, 1854, daughter of George and Mary E. (Wason) Davidson, natives of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr were born the following children: William A., born 1876: Daisy E., born 1877; Pearl W. born 1879; George D., born 1881; Louisa A., born 1883, and Rose M., born 1885. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Mr. Kerr of the Christian Church.
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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in The History of Maury County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed. The History of Maury County was included within The History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Beford and Marshall Counties of Tennessee
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