MATTHIAS KERR, living on section 3, Liberty Township, is a
son of Arthur and Hannah Kerr, pioneers of that township, they being the first
settlers in the northeastern part of the same. The parents were born and reared
in Pennsylvania, but married in Ohio, and when our subject was about five years
of age they located in De Witt County, Illinois, coming thence to Clarke County
in the spring of 1853, when they settled on section 3, Liberty Township. Here
the father improved a farm and followed agricultural pursuits successfully till
his death, having at that time a valuable farm of 160 acres. He died October
29, 1882, at the age of seventy-two years. He was one of the most active and
energetic of the pioneers, and won the confidence and esteem of a large circle
of acquaintances. His widow still survives, and is making her home with her son
John
in Fremont Township, this county. They
reared a family of nine children of whom eight still survive – James, a
resident of Montana since 1861; John, of Fremont Township; Matthias, our
subject; Mrs. Margaret Ann Davison, of Osceola Township; Mrs. Isabell Hite, of
Warren County; Isaac of Sac County, Iowa; William of Warren County, and Mrs.
Ellen Michaels, of Van Wert, Decatur County. Marion, the sixth child,
contracted disease while in the army and died about thirteen years later of
consumption. Matthias Kerr, our subject,
is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born February 5, 1839. He remained with
his parents until 20 years of age when he went to McLean County, Illinois, and
enlisted in the defense of his country, July 25, 1861, a member of Company D,
Seventh Illinois Infantry. Illinois had
sent six regiments to the Mexican war, thus the first regiment in the civil war
was called the seventh. Mr. Kerr participated in the hardly-contested battles
of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the battle of Corinth in October 1862. His
regiment was at and in the vicinity of Corinth in the fall of 1863 and there
re-enlisted as veterans and in May 1864 joined Sherman's forces. Mr. Kerr was
taken prisoner while on scouting duty and for a time was confined in
Andersonville Prison and the suffering he underwent while in that Southern
prison pen has aged him fast. He left there under special cartel for exchange
of sick November 20, 1864 and was discharged on account of disability from Chestnut
Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, June 15, 1865. While in Andersonville he lost part
of his right foot by gangrene and now receives a pension of $12 a month. After leaving the army he returned to
Illinois, and in the spring of 1866 married Mary Allen and immediately after
their marriage went to Madison County, Nebraska, Mr. Kerr building the first
house in that county, where the city of Norfolk now stands. Mrs. Kerr died of
consumption in June 1867, aged 25 years, leaving at her death, one child, Harland,
who is now with his father. After the death of his wife Mr. Kerr came to
Liberty Township, Clarke County, Iowa where he has since resided. For his
second wife he married Hannah J. Trumbo, July 25, 1869, a daughter of the
pioneers John and Sophia Trumbo. Her parents came from Allen County, Indiana to
Liberty Township, Clarke County, Iowa in 1855 and are still living on their old
homestead on section 2. Mrs. Kerr is a native of Allen County, Indiana the date
of her birth being January 18, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have 5 children – Bertie
May, Mary Ann, Frederick O., Don and Bessie Ellen. Mr. Kerr now has a fine home on section 3
where he owns 120 acres of choice land under excellent cultivation. In politics
he is a Republican. He has served his township as trustee and by his upright
and honorable dealings, he has gained the confidence and respect of all who
know him.
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke
County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 267-8
