AARON HERVEY KERR, a prominent figure in Washington county business circles, is a grandson of Aaron Kerr, who was born June 4, 1776, in Maryland, and was married to Sarah Peppard (at the time living near Hackettstown, Md.), daughter of the late Rev. Francis Peppard, of that place. Aaron Kerr was a member of the Presbyterian Church from early manhood, and had been elected four times as ruling elder, first time in the Hackettstown (md.) Church, when but twenty-one years of age. After their marriage Aaron and Sarrah Kerr settled on Pigeon creek, this county, afterward moving to Washington borough, where he engaged in mercantile business; he was also a ruling elder in the church there. In 1831 he moved to Monongahela City, and there carried on commercial business until 1845, when he came to Cross Creek village, still engaging in mercantile pursuits. In politics he was a Whig, and from 1824 to 1828 was member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. He served as a member of the constitutional convention in 1836, and was again chosen to the Assembly in 1840. He died May 1, 1854, at the age of seventy-eight. Isaac Hampton Kerr, son of Aaron and Sarah (Peppard) Kerr, was born June 24, 1814, in New Jersey, and remained with his father until they came to Cross Creek village. He then married Miss Jane Lee, a granddaughter of Hugh Lee, who was born in Ireland, where he married Mary Elliott. In 1790 they emigrated to America, settling on the farm in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn., now occupied by a great-grandson, W. C. Lee. Six children were born to this couple: James, William, Hugh, Robert, Ann and Ellen. Of these Hugh Lee was born in 1773, in County Donegal, Ireland, and came with his father to Washington county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed through life. He was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Orr, wjo was born in 1787, and to their union came children as follows: Mary, William, John, Margaret, an infant unnemed, Hugh, Hannah A. and Jane (Mrs. I. H. Kerr). The father was a very unfluential citizen, and used all the means in his power to promote the interests of others. In religious faith he was a member of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, and in 1818 was elected an elder for life. His death occurred in 1837, in Claysville, while he was attending the Presbytery, To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hampton Kerr were born three children, viz: Leeanna (wife of Dr. T. C. M. Stockton, of Cross Creek village), Aaron Hervey (a merchant of Cross Creek village) and Milton Brainard (a merchant in southern Kansas). Mr. Kerr was a thorough business man, following mercantile pursuits most of his life, and accumulating considerable property. He was a member, trustee and treasurer of the Cross Creek Church for many years. He died February 1, 1866; his widow is yet living in Cross Creek township. Aaron Hervey Kerr, the eldest son of Isaac H. and Jane (Lee) Kerr, was born May 29, 1850, in Cross Creek village. He passed his boyhood days in assisting his father in the store, and thus gained a knowledge of mercantile life, which has been the foundation of his career as one of the most successful business men of Washington county. He attended Duff's Business College, at Pittsburgh, Penn., from which he gratuated in 1868. He then took charge of the extensive business of his father (who had died two years previous), having the entire management of the store. In 1867, when but seventeen years of age, Mr. Kerr made his first eastern trip to replenish his stock of goods. Fromthe first he evinced traits which comprise the successful business man, and though young in years, he has achieved a reputation of which many an older and more experienced man might be proud. On May 27, 1874, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Georgette Gault, daughter of David Gault, a prominent farmer of Cross Creek township. She is a graduate of the Steubenville Seminary, class of '68, and is actively interested in the work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. They have two daughters: Janie Blanche, born March 31, 1875 (attending Hollidaysburg, (Penn.) school for girls, and Grace Matilda, born March 14, 1880. Mr Kerr has been connceted with the Burgettstown National Bank since its organization, formerly as a stockholder and member of the first board of directors, then as vice-president, and is now president of that institution, having been unanimously elected at the January meeting of directors in 1887. In religion he is a member and treasurer of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, In politics he has always been a stanch member of the Republican party.

Text taken from page 542 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by Jacie Ailes-Runyan of Connersville, IN as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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