Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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William Kerr[1]

Male 1836 - 1907  (70 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name William Kerr 
    Born 22 Jul 1836  Eniskillen, Fermangh, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203238746 
    Interesting pioneer, farmer, politics 
    Immigration 1842  , Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Residence 1852  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Church of England 
    Occupation 1861  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Laborer 
    Residence 1861  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Anglican 
    Occupation 1870  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    farmer 
    Marriage Contract Jun 1870  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Occupation 1871  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Church of England 
    Occupation 1881  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Farmer 
    Occupation 1891  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1891  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Anglican 
    Occupation 1901  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Farmer 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-78585 
    Died 23 Apr 1907  Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Buried Saint James Anglican Cemetery, Wilmot Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Person ID I78585  Generations
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 

    Father Hugh Kerr,   b. 1813, of, Eniskillen, Fermangh, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jul 1842, Montreal, Ile De Montreal, Quebec Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 29 years) 
    Mother Ellen Rebecca White,   b. 26 Oct 1817, , Fermanagh, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Dec 1901, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Family ID F4633  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Hannah Elizabeth Illingworth,   b. 15 Mar 1840, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Dec 1929, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 89 years) 
    Married 2 Jun 1870  Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Children 
     1. William H. Kerr,   b. 1870, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Robert James Kerr,   b. 9 Mar 1873, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 May 1929, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
     3. Annie Illingworth Kerr,   b. 13 May 1875, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jan 1885, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 9 years)
     4. Alfred Edward Kerr,   b. 22 Apr 1880, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Jun 1953, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years)
     5. Arthur Lewis Kerr,   b. 22 Feb 1882, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Dec 1958  (Age 76 years)
     6. Walter F. Kerr,   b. 20 Oct 1886, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1957  (Age 70 years)
    Last Modified 11 Jun 2024 
    Family ID F20464  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • WILLIAM KERR.

      There is probably not a farmer in Western Wilmot more familiarly known than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1836 and came with his parents to this country in 1842. At Montreal the family met with a sad misfortune in the death of the father who became ill of Lake fever while on the voyage across the Atlantic and died in a Hospital of that city. The mother with her three children Rebecca, Robert and William, the latter then about six years of age, came in to Toronto where they lived about a year. The mother was again married to the late William Collum, who came to Wilmot with the family in the Winter of 1842. They settled on the corner lot No. 24, 2nd Con. block A two miles east of William's present home. This farm was made memorable in the neighborhood by the untimely death of its former owner, Robert Puddicombe, who was killed by a falling tree many years ago.

      William Kerr, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1870 to Hannah Elizabeth daughter of William IIlingsworth. She was born on lot 28 first Concession, of Scotch parentage, in 1840. Her father who was one of the popular and conspicuous figures of this Township in its early days, died on June 16, 1891, at the advanced age of 84 years 10 months and 19 days. He came to this country in 1825. Mr. Kerr's mother is still living in New Hamburg yet hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Kerr's father assisted in cutting the first logs for the old building, now used by the C. P. R. for a station in the town of Guelph, and it may be of interest to state that he was present at the cutting of the first tree on the present site of that town.

      Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have been blessed with five sons, namely; William II, the eldest is at present in Manitoba; Robert J. is a prominent machine agent at New Hamburg; Alfred Edward, Arthur Louis and Walter are at home.

      The father has been honorably recognized by his neighbors and friends. He was for five years a member of the Township council, ten years a director of the North Blenheim Fire Insurance Company, Treasurer and Salesman of the German Union Cheese Company and has been about twenty years a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilmot Township Agricultural Society. It is scarcely probable that one will find another farmer in Wilmot Township who has had more honors thrust upon him in the same number of years than has Mr. Kerr, and owing to them requiring so much of his attention necessary on his farm he has declined furthur municipal honors.

      The Kerr farm, part of lots Nos. 28, and 29, on south side of Huron Road, two hundred acres in area, was part of a 600 acre tract purchased from the Canada Company by the late Henry Puddicombe early in the thirties. It was purchased by the late William Collum, Mr. Kerr's step-father, on April 9, 1861, at the rate of $20,000 for four hundred acres. Two hundred acres of this tract was transferred to the subject of this sketch and his brother Robert in 1868. But few improvements had been made on the premises prior to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr taking charge and it therefore can be surmised that they have experienced their share of hardships ere they accomplished the task of completing the comfortable suroundings they now enjoy. The home is a lovely one, and one of its pecular features, but most admirable, is the numerous maples. For two sides of the farm are fringed by these beautiful native trees while on each side of the long lane they are in luxuriant profusion. The largest orchard the writer has yet met with on any farm in Ontario is here to be found. It contains something like four hundred thrifty young apple trees all of choice standard fruit.

      A fine brick residence, large bank barn and all necessary outbuildings were erected after Mr. and Mrs. Kerr took possession. Here they live in their declining years deservedly enjoying the fruitful results of their earlier years of toil and frugality, surrounded by their stalwart progeny. They are members of the English church and it can be truthfully said that no citizens in the township are held in higher esteem.

      Waterloo County Chronicle, 2 Nov 1899, p. 6

      ___________________

      Kerr, Wm. - Was born in Fermanagh, County Cavan, Ireland, in 1836, and came to Canada in 1841 at the age of five with his mother, afterwards Mrs. Wm. Collum, with whom he remained until he located on the farm on which he died and which was part of the Collum holdings. In 1870 he was married to Miss Hannah Illingworth. Six children were born to them, five sons and one daughter, Annie, who died at the age of nine. The sons are; Wm. H., in Lumsden, Sask., Robert James, in Berlin, Alfred, on the homestead, Arthur, Brussels, and Walter, with his mother. Mr. Kerr was one of St. James' oldest and most generous supporters and was several times Warden. He died in 1907 aged 71.

      Church of England, An Historical Sketch of the Parish of Wilmot 1828-1913, Diocese of Huron, Ontario, New Hamburg, Canada by Charles James Fox, Sep 1913

      ___________

      Died In Wilmot, on Tuesday morning, April 23rd, 1907, William Kerr Aged: 70 years, 9 months and 1 day. Funeral will leave his late residence, Huron Road, on Friday, the 26th inst., at 2 o'clock p.m., for St. James' Cemetery.

      Funeral Card

      ____________

      In Memoriam In Loving Memory of William Kerr who departed this life on Tuesday Morning, April Twenty-third, Nineteen hundred and seven, In his Seventy-first year, at Maple Grove Farm, Huron Road, Wilmot Peaceful be thy silent slumber, Peaceful in thy grave so low; Thou no more wilt join our number, Thou no more our sorrows know. Yet again we hope to meet thee, When the day of life is fled; And in heaven with joy to greet thee Where no farewell tears are shed

      Funeral Card

  • Sources 
    1. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 17092-1902.
      Robert James Kerr, 29, Merchant, b. Wilmot, Res. New Hamburg, son of William Kerr and Hannah E. Illingworth, married Ada Mitchell, 26, b. Wilmot, Res. New Hamburg, daughter of Thomas Mitchell and Catherine Heiseman, Witnessed by: D. A. Mcdonald of Palmerston and Ida Millar of New Hamburg, 2 Sept 1902 at New Hamburg

    2. [S133] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1901, Wilmot H-1 Page 8.

    3. [S140] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1881, Div. 4 Page 22.

    4. [S320] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - St. James Anglican CC#4571 Internet Link.
      William Kerr/ Born July 22, 1836/ Died Apr. 23, 1907/ his wife/ Hannah Illingworth/ 1840-1929

    5. [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div. 1 Pg. 8.

    6. [S721] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, marriage certificate (1870), Kerr-Illingworth.
      William Kerr, 34, farmer of Wilmot, b. Enniskillen, Ireland, s/o Hugh and Ellen Kerr, married Hannah Elizabeth Illingworth, 29, residence Wilmot, b. Wilmot, d/o William and Ann Illingworth. witnesses, Simon James Callum and Jane Calum, both of the Township of Wilmot, Ontario, married 2 Jun 1870 at. St. James Church on the Huron Road, Haysville, Wilmot,

    7. [S190] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1871, Div. 2 Page 55.

    8. [S939] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1891, Div. 1 Page 22.

    9. [S844] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1861, Sect. 4 Page 21.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 22 Jul 1836 - Eniskillen, Fermangh, Ireland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1842 - , Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1852 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Laborer - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1861 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - farmer - 1870 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage Contract - Jun 1870 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 2 Jun 1870 - Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Church of England - 1871 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1881 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1891 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Anglican - 1891 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1901 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 23 Apr 1907 - Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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