My Genealogy Hound

W. D. Kerr, manager of the firm of Isaac Halpin, was born in Jackson County, Ala., in 1832, and is the son of James Kerr, whose birth occurred in Pulaski County, Ky., in 1804. The father was a mechanic by trade, and this occupation carried on until late in life, when he began farming, continuing at this until his death. He was married to Miss Cynthia Taylor, of Alabama, in about 1829, and they became the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, seven of whom are now living: Eliza J. (wife of J. T. Simms, of Texas), W. D., John M., James A., Rufus L., Emma A. (wife of W. H. Sperry, of Holly Grove), Martha E. (widow of Mr. Beever) and Charles G. James Kerr was a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for over forty years, being class leader and steward in the same. He immigrated from Alabama to Arkansas in 1853, located in this county, and was the founder of the town of Holly Grove, owning part of the ground the town now stands on. He bought land when he came here and built a log-cabin, having previously lived in a tent. He died in 1881, and his wife died in this county in 1888. She was also a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. W. D. Kerr began life for himself in 1852, as a clerk in a book and music store of Gainesville, Ala., and there remained for a year, when he began clerking in a drug and dry goods store for J. H. & J. G. Webb, of Sumterville, Sumter County, Ala. He moved from that State to Arkansas in 1858, and located in or near Holly Grove, where he has remained ever since. He was married to Miss Elizabeth D. Nicholson, of Alabama, in 1854, and by her became the father of three children: Lillian (wife of W. B. Wellborn), Gertrude E. and Hattie N. Mr. Kerr was elected justice of the peace in 1860, and held the office two terms; was also county judge a number of years. Mrs. Kerr was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in 1884. Mr. Kerr took for his second wife Mrs. Emma Metcalfe, a native of Union County, Ky., born in 1840, and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Berry, of Union County, Ky. Mrs. Kerr is a member of the Presbyterian Church, but Mr. Kerr has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, since he was sixteen years of age.