WILLIAM KERR, the genial, energetic and successful Postmaster of Ridott, is also carrying on general merchandising, in which he established himself in the spring of 1871. He carries a stock of almost everything required in the village household or the country home, and has built up a thriving trade. He has been a resident of Ridott Township for a period of forty years and during his earlier life engaged in farm pursuits.

Our subject, a native of Northumberland County, Pa., was born Oct. 11, 1846, and is the son of Alex H. Kerr, also a native of the Keystone State, and born Nov. 20, 1802. The family has been represented in this country for several generations but away back were of Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was born and reared in the Colonial days, was one of the most active soldiers in the war for inde-pendence. His son Alex was reared to farming pursuits and married one of the playmates of his childhood, namely, Miss Catherine Karl, who was of German parentage and born Nov. 10, 1813. The mother of our subject spoke the language of her ancesters (sic) fluently. The parents after their marriage located on a farm in Eastern Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1846, and where four children were born. William, of our sketch, was then the youngest of the family. In the spring of that year Alex Kerr decided to seek his fortune in the great West, and accordingly started overland with teams. Coming into this county he pitched his tent upon a tract of unbroken prairie in Ridott Township when the settlers were few and far between. Their first dwelling was an old-style log cabin, which they occupied a few years and until their industry was sufficiently rewarded to enable them to put up a more pretentious dwelling. They removed from this farm in about 1850, to another not far away, where the parents spent the balance of their lives. The father was called to his long home Aug. 12, 1861, and the mother followed not long afterward, her death taking place Aug. 24, 1864. The former was fifty-nine years of age and the latter sixty-one. Both were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Kerr had taken considerable interest in local politics, being a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. The mother is affectionately remembered by her children as faithful and loving in her household, kind and hospitable to both strangers and friends, and a lady who possessed all the Christian virtues.

William Kerr was born at the modest home of his parents in Eastern Pennsylvania, and was brought by them to Illinois when a babe. His education was completed in the district schools of Stephenson County, and he remained with his parents until they no more required his filial care. He possessed much natural business ability and his excellent home training had prepared him for the coming struggle of life. There was but little property to fall back upon and he employed himself at whatever he could find to do, and was never discouraged as long as he was in possession of his health and strength. He believed that the establishment of domestic ties would prove a stimulant to further exertion and he was accordingly married, in July, 1873, in Ridott Village, to Miss Emeline John. Mrs. Kerr was born Sept. 24, 1853, in Winnebago County, and is the daughter of Wesley and Eleanor John, natives of Pennsylvania, where her father learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed the greater part of his life. He is now a resident of Ridott. The wife of our subject received a good education and taught school in Ridott Township some years before her marriage. After becoming the mother of five children she departed this life at her home in Ridott, Dec. 23, 1883. She was sincerely mourned by her husband and friends, and her name is held in tender remembrance as that of a refined Christian lady of the highest moral principles and kindness of heart. The offspring of t his marriage were Nellie, Mary, Frederick, Pearl and Hanson. Mrs. K. had been reared in the Quaker faith, but not long before her death connected herself with the Advent Church, of which she was a valued and worthy member.

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Ridott, Dec. 26, 1885, was formerly Miss Eveline Knight, a lady of English birth and parentage, who came to this country with her family in 1863. Her parents, John and Julia J. (Lee) Knight, located first in Wisconsin, whence they removed later to Ridott, where they now live. Mr. Knight is a practical bricklayer and builder, and commands a good patronage from the people of this vicinity.

Mr. Kerr, Democrat, politically, received his appointment as Postmaster in the spring of 1885. He has been somewhat prominent in local politics, and is in all respects a praiseworthy and reliable citizen.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 342