JOSEPH KERR, SR.
1820 - 1902
"Joseph Kerr was born in Chester county, Pa., Sept. 10, 1820. He came to Holmes county, Ohio in 1812. Having learned the tailoring trade, he began his business life there, working at his trade until 1857, when he moved to Hicksville, where he has resided since.
For many years he was actively engaged in business life here and closely identified with the public interests and welfare of the place. Oct. 9, 1845, he was married to Miss Jane Dowell. To this union was born three sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him, except the youngest daughter who died in 1864 at the age of 7 years.
For several years the deceased has not enjoyed good health, but he was not of a murmuring disposition and bore his afflictions with more than ordinary courage. He was a man of resolute will and indomitable courage and when once convinced that a thing was right, was not easily turned from his conviction.
Many years ago, he united with the M. E. church, and since coming to Hicksville, identified himself with the church here, but for reasons best known to himself, was never received into full membership. He was a firm believer in Christianity and found pleasure in supporting the church. The ground upon which the new M. E. church stands in Hicksville was donated by him for this purpose. In former years he was actively engaged in temperance work and moral reforms of the town and was a citizen respected and loved by all. He will be much missed. the wife and children have the deepest sympathy from a host of friends.
He departed this life March 30, 1902, aged 81 years, 6 mos. and 20 days. The funeral services were conducted in the M. E. church by Rev. F. W. Stanton on Tuesday afternoon, attended by a large concourse of people."
BARBARA JANE DOWELL KERR
1827 - 1904
"Barbara Jane Dowell, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Dowell, was born in Holmes county, O., Sept. 18, 1827. She was married to Joseph Kerr, Oct. 9, 1845. Twelve or thirteen years after their marriage, they moved to Hicksville, O. where she died Dec. 1, 1904, aged 77 years, 2 months and 19 days.
Mrs. Kerr was one of eleven children, only four of whom survive her. Her parents are also gone. The living brothers and sisters are William Dowell, of Ligonier, Ind., too feeble to be at the funeral; Mrs. Hester Bevington, of Chicago, Ill., also not able to be present; Thorton Dowell and Mrs. Mary A. Shellenburger, both of Hicksville.
Mrs. Kerr was the mother of four children. One of these, Laura, died after a few hours illness, June 29, 1864, at the tender age of 7 years. The next loss was that of the husband and father, who died March 30, 1902. This was a year of more bereavement, for in August, Thomas Kerr, and in December, Joseph Kerr, Jr., passed away, leaving the mother and their own families desolate.
The living children are Mrs. Alice Crook, now in Denver, Colo., not able to be present, and Fillmore Kerr, of Toledo, O. who with wife and three children were present, as was also Mr. Ed. Crook, of Denver. Other near relatives to attend the funeral were Mrs. Thomas Kerr, of Toledo, and Mrs. Joseph Kerr, Jr and two sons, Paul and Dewitt. All the grandchildren, save Reed Kerr, of Toledo; Joe Kerr of Logan and Leonard Crook, of Cleveland, were permitted to attend.
Aunt Jane Kerr, as many called her, was for many years a professing Christian, having united with the church in girlhood. She was somewhat diffident in her profession, but remained true to the end.
She was at the church service the Sunday preceding her death. One of the hymns sung that morning was 'Come until me when shadows darkly gather, When the sad heart is weary and distressed.' This hymn has comforted many and it found its way to the heart of Mother Kerr and many others in the congregation. She remained for class meeting, speaking briefly of hopes and purposes. Little did we dream that that service and testimony were to be her last. She had felt however, that perhaps her stay here was soon to end.
Last summer, knowing that her daughter, Mrs. Crook, was soon to go to the distant west to stay for some time, Mother Kerr went to Lakeside to have one more visit with Alice. After her return, she expressed regret that there had not been more opportunity to be alone with her. For, said she, 'I feel that I may never see her again.' Her premonition came true, for never again are they permitted on earth to see each other. Her illness was so brief that few even of her near neighbors knew it.
Her death came almost with the suddenness of the lightning flash, Wednesday evening at 6 o'clock.. (Her) funeral was in the M. E. church Saturday at 2 p.m. after which the body was laid to rest in Forest Home cemetery."
Source: Obituaries: Pioneers of Northwest Ohio, Volume I. Carma Rowe Estate, Johnson Memorial Library. No date. Page 22.
Copies available at the Defiance Public Library and the Sherwood and Hicksville branches.
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