My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ORR KER is a representative of the fourth generation of his family in America, his great-grandfather having come from Ireland in 1745 and settled in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania.

William Ker, the grandfather of William O., was born Oct. 30, 1791, in Huntingdon county, where he grew to manhood and lived until a year after his marriage. In 1826 he and his wife came to West Pennsboro township, Cumberland county, where they settled on the farm now occupied by their grandson, and here passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Ker had first come to the county in 1825, on June 26th of which year he married Miss Eliza Belle Sterrett, daughter of David and Isabel Sterrett, who were natives of Cumberland county and belonged to prominent pioneer stock. He accumulated a fine property, and devoted the greater part of his time to its improvement and management, though he took a lively interest in the public welfare. He was one of the founders and a member of the board of directors of the banking firm of Ker, Brenneman & Co., who conducted what has since been known as the First National Bank of Carlisle. Mrs. Ker passed away Dec. 23, 1844, and Mr. Ker survived her many years, passing away Sept. 20, 1874. Of the children born to them four attained maturity: Elizabeth Jane and Mary Isabel, both of whom are now deceased; William A., father of William O.; and David Sterrett, who was educated in the common schools and Mt. Joy Academy, and has passed all his life on the old homestead.

William A. Ker, father of William O., was born Nov. 30, 1829, and received excellent educational advantages, attending the academies at Huntingdon, Mt. Joy (Lancaster county), Juniata county and Good Hope (in his native township). He and his brother engaged in farming on the old home place, on which they have made many improvements. The place comprises 100 acres of fertile land, which under their careful management has been brought to a high state of cultivation. On Jan. 10, 1854, Mr. Ker was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Orr, of Franklin county, Pa., and they became the parents of two children, Mary Eliza and William Orr.

William Orr Ker was born in 1863 on the old Ker homestead, and has passed all his life there. He commenced his education in the public schools of the township, subsequently attended the public schools at Philadelphia for two years, and then attended the Chambersburg Academy for one year. Returning home he commenced to work for his father, and he has continued on the farm ever since, keeping up the traditions of the family for pride in his work and the appearance of his surroundings.

In 1882 Mr. Ker married Miss Jane Brattan, daughter of S. W. and Margaret G. Brattan, of Newville, Cumberland county, Pa., the former of whom died Aug. 26, 1899; the mother is living in Harrisburg. Two children have blessed this union: William Sterrett, born Dec. 22, 1890, and Margaret Bleam, born April 15, 1893. The family attends the Presbyterian Church at Newville. Mr. Ker is a Democrat in political sentiment. He is a worthy member of a family which has taken a marked interest in the development of Cumberland county, and is an esteemed citizen of his community, whether from a business or personal standpoint.