JASPER N. KERR. With almost every enterprise that has promoted the progress of Centralia during the past decade, the subject of this sketch has been intimately associated. He is now the Secretary of the Home Building & Loan Association of Centralia, is a prominent real-estate owner, and was formerly an extensive fruit-grower. In his official life he proved himself to be independent, fearless and incorruptible, and he has filled with marked ability the highest position within the gift of his fellowtownsmen that of Mayor.
In presenting the biography of Mr. Kerr, we claim the privilege of every historian that of referring to the past, mentioning his ancestry and some events connected with the lives of his forefathers. The Kerr family was identified with the early history of Virginia, where our subject's grandfather, George, was born and reared, and whence he removed to Kentucky, later settling in Ohio. Upon crossing the Ohio River he came to Cincinnati, which then gave so few indications of its present greatness that he could have purchased in exchange for an old gun all the land the city now embraces.
Proceeding northward, George Kerr came to Miami County, where he made settlement and of which he was a pioneer. He entered a tract of land from the Government, and turning the first furrows in the soil, gave his attention to its cultivation until death claimed him. During the Indian wars of early days he served as a scout under the Government. His brother, Hamilton, was killed by an Indian, and he it was who figured in the well known story of the Indian and white man who stood behind the same tree during the battle.
The members of the Kerr family in remote generations were of English and Irish birth. Grandfather Kerr had six sons, five of whom grew to manhood, our subject's father, George W., being the youngest of the number. There was also a daughter who attained mature years.
George W. spent his boyhood days upon the old homestead in Miami County, Ohio, where his birth occurred August 29, 1807. Upon starting out in life for himself he entered a tract of land from the Government, and such was the prosperity that resulted from his arduous labors that he acquired large and valuable possessions. In 1863 he disposed of his property in Miami County, and coming to Illinois, purchased land in Hoyleton, Washington County, and there engaged in farming. That place continued to be his home until his death, which occurred in September, 1878. The marriage of George W. Kerr occurred in Miami County and united him with Miss Nancy Collins. They became the parents of five daughters and two sons, all of whom are now living.
The mother of this family died February 10, 1880, at her home in Washington County, ILL. In religious belief she was a devoted member of the Christian Church, while her husband was identified with the Baptist Church. Their home farm comprised two hundred and eighty acres and was one of the finest in the county.
Near Troy, Ohio, the subject of this sketch was born March 28, 1841. His early education was gained in the city schools of Troy. In the fall of 1862 he began to teach school, and after one term came west to Illinois, where for fifteen years he prosecuted farming in the summer and teaching in in the winter.
During the Civil War he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and aided in the organization of Company B, of which he was elected Second Lieutenant. At the expiration of his term of service he resumed the combined occupations of farmer and teacher. He taught school for several years in this part of Illinois.
October 1, 1867, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of John Wilson, a native of Indiana. Mrs. Kerr was born in Indiana July 2, 1848, and came to this state after her father's death. Two children have been born to their union: Mabel, the wife of Ben W. Storer, a grocer of Centralia; and Edward W., a student in Purdue University, where he is fitting himself for the profession of an electrical and mechanical engineer.
Upon abandoning his labors in the schoolroom, Mr. Kerr devoted his attention to fruit-growing in Clinton County, where he was also prominent in public. affairs, serving for two terms as Clerk of Brookside Township, for two terms as Supervisor of that township, for seven years as Secretary of the Fair Association, and for one year as Vice-President of the Board of Fair Directors.
In 1882 he removed from Clinton to Marion County. Previous to that, however, he had, in December of 1881, purchased a half-interest in the Centralia Sentinel, and about two years later he bought the other half-interest. In 1884 he established the Centralia Daily Sentinel, which he edited for four years, and of which he was sole manager until 1888. In October of that year he sold the paper and plant to T. L. Joy, the present proprietor. During that time Mr. Kerr also established the Sandoval Times and the Patoka Enterprise, both of which he has since sold to the same purchaser.
Mr. Kerr's connection with the fruit-growing industry of Marion County has been close and continuous, and he shipped the first single carload of strawberries from the city of Centralia in a single day's shipment. He is the owner of the Elmwood Addition to Centralia, which is located about one-half mile from the center of the town, and which is now being laid off in lots.
Reared in the faith of the Democratic party, Mr. Kerr advocated its tenets until the firing upon Ft. Sumter aroused his indignation and caused him to transfer his allegiance to the Republican party. He has since been a stalwart champion of its platform. He was the first regular nominee for Mayor put forward by the Republican party as a party candidate. He never sought office, but when chosen for the responsible position of Mayor he pledged an honest and faithful administration of municipal affairs and carried out to the letter every promise he had made. During his administration the water-works enterprise took its first substantial move forward. Fearlessness and fair dealing with everyone characterized his term of office and won the approval of the people. He could have been re-nominated, but declined to be a candidate. Independent and honorable, he has never during the entire period of his political life sacrificed principles for the emoluments of office.
In 1891 he aided in the organization of the Home Building
Socially he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled all the chairs.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 243-244
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer