Kerr - Joseph
Source: A Standard history of Champaign County, Illinois. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1918, p 620
One of the oldest and most honored names in Champaign County is that of Kerr, and its substantial qualities are fittingly commemorated by that name being assigned to one of the prosperous townships. It is in Section 5 of this township that Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kerr reside and have their fine country home. Mr. Joseph Kerr has for many years been a hard working and prosperous farmer and has a great deal of real accomplishments to his credit. He was born in Kerr Twp, a son of Samuel and Betsy Ann Taylor Kerr. His father was born in Ohio and mother in Ky. Samuel Kerr, who was of Scotch-Irish stock was one of the earliest pioneers in Champaign County and the first settler in the Sugar Grove community. He located there when his nearest neighbor was six miles away. The country was a raw and unbroken prairie. There were no railroads nor towns and the Kerr home was a nucleus around which other settlers gradually gathered and began the development of one of the finest sections of the entire county. Samuel Kerr was not only a hard working pioneer but a man of splendid character and it was for him the township was named. Mr. Joseph Kerr grew up in this county attended the schools and started life independently when he married Emma Bradshaw. Mrs. Joseph Kerr was born in Fountain county, Indiana, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Daily Bradshaw. She ws only two when her father died. Her mother then married again and moved to Champaign County, locating on the land which now constitutes the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kerr. Mrs. Kerr was the youngest of 10 children. She secured her education in the Sugar Grove district school. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kerr started housekeeping on the place of her stepfather, David Morehouse. Mr. Morehouse had bought the land, consisting of 80 acres from the Government at $1.50 an acre. At this time the land could hardly be bought for $175 an acre. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr had good ideas, sound ambition and industry and these qualities have taken them far along the road to success. Into their home came 4 children. One of them died in infancy. The three who grew up are Nancy Belle, Rosa Lee and Joseph Foster. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr took great pains to give them the best of advantages both at home and in school. They first attended Sugar Grove School where Mrs. Kerr was educated and the daughters also attended school at Rankin and Nancy took further courses in the WIngate HS in Montgomery County, Indiana. She fitted herself for teaching and followed that vocation for several years at the Strayer Shcool, the Campbell School and the Trickle Grove School. She is now the wife of MIlton Strayer, formerly a farmer but now living in Onarga, Illinois. The daughter Rosa Lee married Thomas McIntosh, a carpenter living at Henning, Illinois. They have a bright and attractive daughter, Leta Ilene, now 13 and entering upon her work in 8th grade of the public schools. The son, Joseph F. Kerr is a successful agriculturist in Eaton County, Michigan. He married Cora McHaley. Their daughter, Agnes Cleo is 18 but has graduated with honors from the college at Olivet, Michigan and has done some most creditable work in school, her record being a matte rof pride to parents and grandparents. Mr. Joseph Kerr is one of the public spirited citizens of Champaign County. For six years his neighbors kept him in the office of road commissioner and for 25 years he was a school director. He believes that the best in schools are none too good for the rural district. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, Pleasant Grove and are liberal supporters. Politically, Mr. Kerr is a stanch Republican and has cast his vote for the principles of that part since early manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have spent their lives in Champaign County and have made their work and example count for good in the uplift of the community. Their home is one of generous hospitality and a distinct influence in the community. They are able to look back upon days and duties well spent and performed and they may look back without regret and to the future without fear.