JOSIAH KERR was born May 2, 1839, in Washington county, Penn. He is of Scotch descent, James Kerr, the earliest pioneer of the family name, being a son of James Kerr, a native and lifelong resident of Scotland. James, his son, when yet a boy, came to America, and made a permanent home in Washington county, Penn. He was twice married, and reared a large family of children. He was a miller and wheelwright by trade, which vocations he followed through life; he died in 1869. James Kerr, father of subject, was the second son by his father's first marriage, and was born December 16, 1815, on the home farm in this county, where he grew to manhood. He was married to Mary Crawford, who was born June 2, 1816, also a native of Washington county. Ten children were born to their union, four of whom are now living. Mr. Kerr was an active politician; he was justice of the peace three years, served several times as judge of elections, and also held the offices of supervisor, auditor and school director. He and his wife were active members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder. He died December 25, 1891, having been preceded by his wife September 4, 1889. Josiah Kerr, the second child in the family of ten children born to James and Mary (Crawford) Kerr, was reared and educated on the home farm in North Strabane township. On November 7, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret J. Patterson, who was born September 21, 1835 in the house where she was married. Her father, Ezra Patterson, was born in 1800, in Adams county, Penn., where he was afterward married to Nancy Horner, who was born June 10, 1800, in Washington county. They reared the following children: William, Joseph B. and David W. (twins), James, Margaret (Mrs. Kerr), Sarah E. (wife of P. B. Dow), Anna M. (Mrs. W. H. Murray), Elizabeth, John S. and an infant, the latter three of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were active members of the United Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. He died December 4, 1863, and on January 28, 1892, Mrs. Patterson was laid to rest; she had passed her ninety-second birthday. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Kerr have been born two children: Mary A. and James F. Mr. Kerr has ever been identified with every movement tending to promote the general good of the community, is actively interested in politics, and has held the office of township auditor. He and his wife are members of the Fairview Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1437 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]