Biographies

Source:
The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography
Illustrated
Publ. Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Company
1902
 

WILSON S. KERR.   One of the leading representatives of agricultural and commercial interests in Frederickstown and Knox county is Wilson S. Kerr. "Through struggles to success" is the epitome of his business record.  He is possessed of marked determination and unfaltering purpose and has steadily advanced, brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by unfaltering industry and capable management.  He has spent his entire life in this county, his birth occurring in Pleasant township on the 11th of May, 1839.      His father, BENJAMIN KERR, who was a farmer of Pleasant township, was born on the west bank of the Scioto river in what is now Franklin county, Ohio, Apr. 14, 1800.  In 1803 he was brought by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, a location being made in Fredericktown, where he remained with his parents until 1827, when he assisted in the erection of a mill, now gone to decay, known as the Kerr or Miller mill.  In about 1826 he sank the first well in Gambier, on the public square, for Bishop Chase.  On the 30th of October, 1827, Mr. Kerr married Rosa Elliott, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Eaton) Elliott, who came to Knox county in 1806.  This union resulted in the birth of seven children: Sarah A., John B., William E., Eliza J., Chambers, Wilson S. and Rose E.  After his marriage Mr. Kerr settled on a homestead farm in Pleasant township and remained there until 1838, when he sold the mill property and bought a farm in the same township, and for four score years milling and farming was his principal vocation.  He was truly a remarkable man, upright and honest, and in all his dealings he proved to the world he was in all respects a true man.      In the district schools Mr. Kerr, of this review, pursued his education until twenty years of age, and in the meantime had become familiar with all departments of farm work, being employed in the fields on his father's farm through the periods of vacation.  The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work, and to-day he is the owner of one hundred and eighty-five acres of valuable land, which is rich and arable and under a high state of cultivation.  He carries on general farming and in return for his care and cultivation the well tilled fields yield to him rich harvests.  His methods are modem and progressive and everything about his place indicates his careful supervision.  In addition to farming he is interested in the business of the exportation of hard wood lumber and logs, to which much of his attention has been devoted for twenty years.  His trade has reached creditable proportions and thereby materially increases his general income.      On the 27th of January, 1877, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Coggins, a daughter of Jonathan and Louisa (Marquind) Coggins, by whom he had two children: Sarah, who married Royal Bartlett, and Hattie, the wife of Elcer Sliger.  The mother died in 1882 and Mr. Kerr was again married, his second union being with Miss Hattie Hogle, a daughter of Langdon and Amanda (Disney) Hogle.  Four children grace this union: Bunyan, Helen, Hazel and Dewitt, all of whom are still under the parental roof.      Many years ago Mr. Kerr became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being initiated into Mount Vernon Lodge, but later he transferred his membership to Fredericktown Lodge, with which he is now connected.  He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and in 1900 he was elected trustee of Morris township, in which capacity he is now serving.  He is one of the best-known men of his community and enjoys the unqualified regard of his fellow citizens.  He is straightforward and reliable in business, faithful in public office and meets his fraternal obligations with conscientious earnestness.  Industry is the foundation upon which he has secured a success which now classes him among the substantial citizens of this portion of Knox county. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 136

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