Kerr - Wilbur
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 12-21-1900
The sad word was received here on Wednesday of the death of Will KERR, at his home in Wingate. Practically no one in Crawfordsville had heard of his illness, which was short and the word that he was dead came as a shock to those who knew him. Mr. Kerr was a man of many parts and although comparatively young was rated as one of the most substantial and influential men of the county. Possessed of a kindly heart and a cordial manner he made friends wherever he went. With a hand as open as the day for melting charity, an earnest desire for the establishment and maintenance of all that was good in both home and state, an energy that was tireless and a keen appreciation of the rights and sensibilities of others, he made a model citizen. The following sketch of his life has been received from Wingate. "Wingate, Indiana Dec. 19 -- Wilber Kerr died at his residence in this place at 10 o'clock last night after an illness of 10 days, first with grip which terminanted in a disease of the brain. Mr. Kerr was a son of Samuel Kerr, who came to Fountain County from Butler County, Ohio with his parents at the age of 9 and settled on a farm two miles NE of Newtown, where he still lives. Here Wilber was born Sept 23, 1857 and grew to manhood. He married Celesta COEN March 12, 1891. He leaves a wife, father, two brothers, Charles and Guy of Newtown and one sister, Mrs. Ed MILLIGAN, of Waveland, also a niece Miss Celesta McCauley who has lived with him since childhood and who was as much attached to him as any daughter would have been. Mr. Kerr was a member of the Presbyterian church, the Masonic order, the Knight sof Pythias and was a member of the board of town trustees. He was also a member of the Republican county central committee and had large business interests. He was a senior member of the firm of Kerr, Grenard & Co., one of the largest firms of stock dealers in the county, doing a business of over $200,000 a year. He was once president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of this place from which he retired about 3 years ago. his death will cause a vacancy in many places that will be very hard to fill. The funeral will occur at the ME Church at this place tomorrow afternoon at 1. Services by Rev CW Postill and interment at Newtown, the K of P taking charge of the remains. - kbz
Source: New Richmond Record 27 Dec 1900 p 1
Wilbur Kerr, son of Samuel G. and Virginia Dagger Kerr, was born near Newtown, Indiana September 23, 1857 and department this life from his home in Wingate, Indiana Dec 18, 1900, aged 43 years, 2 months 25 days. On March 12, 1891, he was united in marriage to Rhoda Celestia Coen. In 1775, he united with the Presbyterian Church and remained a member of the same until his death. He leaves behind to mourn his loss an aged father, two brothers, Guy W and Charles D, an only sister, Carrie Kerr Milligan, a loving and devoted wife, and Lessie McCauly, a niece who has lived with him, besides a host of other relatives and friends. But they all feel that while earth is poor, heaven is richer. Brother Kerr was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Newtown and attained the degree of Master Mason March 29, 1889. He was faithful to every trust in him. In the midst of life we are in death. It is but a moment as it were from the cradle to the grave, while we mourn the departure of loved ones let us seek opportunities for doing good to those who linger with us. We believe that these, our dead, are not lost to us. We expect to meet them when we pass beyond the river, because as Masons we are taught and believe in the immortality of the soul and the doctrine of the resurrection to eternal life. We extend fraternal sympathy and condolence to the friends bereft. He was also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, being a charter member of Star Light Lodge No 306 of Wingate. He was faithful to the principles of this lodge, always anxious that the brothers might measure up to its teachings and always did all in his power to get them to do so, and we feel that we have sustained a great loss in his death. Brother Kerr’s life has been an open book, it speaks for itself. As a man he was a man among men. As a friend, there was none truer. As a brother, he was a stay and a comfort. As a husband, he was devoted and affectionate. As a Christian, he was zealous. He was always anxious for the success of the church. This interest did not only extend to the temporal affairs of the church but to the spiritual as well. No man ever had more interest in Sunday School work than did he. Here he seemed to be the happiest. He loved children fondly. No difference how tired or busy he was he always had time to say a word to them or do something for them that sent them on their way rejoicing in their little hearts that they had met him. He said to his nurse that we ought not lose an opportunity to do kind deeds or speak a kind word. Today this whole community is rising up to testify that he did not let them slip by. In answer to his sister, who was anxious about the crossing of the river, he said: “Mother is calling me! Jesus is calling me!” Ah. Two of the best friends a soul ever had. Mother and Jesus were calling him. So endeth the chapter of another life. The funeral, which was the largest ever held in Wingate was conducted from the ME Church on Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock, Rev. W Postil officiating, using the last part of the fourth verse of the 11th chapter of Hebress: “He being dead yet speaketh.” Rev. Postil was assisted by Rev. Preston of the Presbyterian Church of Newtown, Rev. Kruwel of the Shawnee Mound ME Church and Rev. HC Weston of the New Richmond ME Church. Interment was made in the Newtown Cemetery. -s