Alexander M. Kerr

As printed in 1912

ALEXANDER M. KERR, a retired farmer and highly respected resident of Bucyrus, O., belongs to one of the old and representative families of Crawford county, of Scotch ancestry. He was born March 4, 1846, in Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., and is a son of William and Jane (Clark) Kerr.

In early days the great-grandparents of Alexander M. Kerr migrated from Scotland to near Dublin, Ireland, and reared their children and died there. One son, William Kerr, grandfather of Alexander M., came to the United States in 1800 and shortly afterward settled in Juniata county. Pa. He was married there to a lady by the name of Stewart, who died in Pennsylvania and was survived by a daughter, Nancy, who later married and became the mother of several children. William Kerr, Sr., was then married to a widow, Mrs. Sarah (Abrams) Elder, and they continued to reside in Juniata county until after the birth of their children, four in number — Alexander, Sarah, William and James — and then decided to come to Ohio. This was in 1832 and they made the long journey in wagons and finally reached Whetstone township, Crawford county, the whole country being then but a wilderness of forest and tangled prairie. The land on which they settled had been slightly improved by a former owner, so that they found a shelter provided which was better than was the fate of some other settlers who came into this section about the same time. Here WilHam Kerr, Sr., died, prior to 1845, and his widow survived him for seven years. They were among the founders of the Presbyterian church in Whetstone township and were people of exemplary life and were widely known for their pioneer hospitality.

William Kerr, Jr., father of Alexander M. Kerr, of Bucyrus, was born August 24, 1808, and died September 23, 1888. He was twenty-four years old when his parents came to Crawford county, where his subsequent life was spent, farming being his main interest. He was married in Whetstone township, Feb. 14, 1837, to Miss Jane Clark, who was born in Wayne county, O., Dec. 4, 1810, and died July 3, 1884. She was brought to Crawford county by her father, Archibald Clark, in 1821, after the death of her mother, in Wayne county, O. Archibald Clark was one of the first settlers in Whetstone township, where he became a man of importance and of large fortune. He died there Dec. 30, 1875, aged 85 years. The Clarks were of Scotch-Irish extraction and were Presbyterians in religious faith. To William Kerr, Jr., and his wife the following children were born: Archibald C, Sarah and Alexander M. Archibald C. Kerr was born Feb. 6, 1838, and was reared in Whetstone township and remained at home until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, Aug. 1, 1862, in the 81st O. Vol. Inf.; he died from fever at Corinth, Miss., Dec. I, 1862. He was unmarried. Sarah, the only daughter, was born March 26, 1839. She married James Wise, and they reside on their farm in Wyandot county. They had one daughter, Daisey V., who died after her marriage.

Alexander M. Kerr grew to manhood on the home farm and continued to reside there until after his marriage, when he settled on a farm of 140 acres situated in Holmes township. There he engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits until he retired from active business life, in March, 1906. Mr. Kerr is a man of intelligence and observation and keeps well informed concerning all that goes on in public affairs. He is independent in politics, believing in personal freedom of thought and is pronounced in his attitude in favor of temperance. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Kerr was married at Bucyrus, Dec. 23, 1874, to Miss Sarah J. Franz, who was born April 17, 1852, the youngest of five children born to her parents and the only one surviving. She was very carefully and thoroughly educated, graduating with the first class after the new Union School building was completed at Bucyrus, at which time the first certificates of graduation were issued. She was chosen to deliver the first class address.

The parents of Mrs. Kerr were Col. John and Jane (Burwell) Franz. Col. Franz was born in Germany, Aug. 12, 1812, and died of an attack of apoplexy, Nov. 14, 1870. In his youth death removed his parents and he was reared by an uncle until the age of 18 years. He then emigrated alone to America and found his way to GaHon, Crawford county, O., where he learned the cabinetmaking trade, which he pursued until 1857, in the meanwhile so impressing his fellow citizens with his sterling character that in that year they elected him sheriff of Crawford county. He served two terms, four years, in this office. When the Civil War broke out he became interested.

having previously been active in the state militia, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the list O. Vol. Inf. He served for a. time but was forced to resign on account of the recurrence of an old ailment which tendered military exposure impossible. After his return to private life he was again called into public affairs, being elected to the office of county treasurer, and was serving in his second term when his useful life was terminated as mentioned above. He was an ardent Democrat all his mature life and served in many local offices including membership on the board of education. He was widely known in the Masonic fraternity and was a Mason of the thirty-second degree.

Col. John Franz was married in Ohio to Jane Burwell, who was born in Harrison county, 0.,.May 21, 1815, and died at Bucyrus, in 1902. Her people were old settlers in Harrison county and came to Crawford county when she was young. The Burwells, like the Franz's and Kerrs were Presbyterian in religious faith. Mrs. Kerr had three brothers and one sister. Jay B. Franz died in 1910. He was thrice married but left no issue. William Franz was widely known as the inventor of the Franz Knitting Machine, which has had a remarkable sale notwithstanding the competition afforded by factory knitting. He realized an ample fortune from this invention. He was married in Ohio and had four children, three of whom survive. John S. Franz died at Jacksonville, Fla. He had early interests of a substantial character at Tampa. He married there and is survived by three children. Kate E., the only sister of Mrs. Kerr, died at Bucyrus. She was the wife of J. R. Clymer, a prominent journalist of Crawford county, who is also deceased. They are survived by two sons and one daughter.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr three sons have been born, two of whom survive. William Franz, the eldest, was born Nov. 6, 1875, and died Aug. 24, 1876. Jay Alexander, the second son, was born Oct. 25, 1882, was given excellent educational advantages and is now a prosperous farmer in Huron county, O. He married Miss Maude G. Carmean and they have two sons: Ernest C. and Ralph W. The youngest son, Franklin M., is unmarried and resides with his parents. He is well educated and is identified with the T. & O. Railroad, in the freight department.

As printed in History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.