John Whitfield Kerr
KERR, JOHN WHITFIELD
Celina Record, March 1925.
AND USEFUL EARTHLY LIFE
At 6 o’clock Saturday morning, Feb. 28th, John Whitfield Kerr, born in Maurry County, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1834, closed his eyes upon the scenes of this work, the exact duration of his sojourn here having been ninety years, five months and twenty-six days.
Death was due to pneumonia against the ravages of which his feeble body fought a losing fight of a week’s duration. He had been up only two or three weeks from an attack of influenza when his last illness developed, and his body, feeble with age, was left much more so by this disease. He had been able to come to town several times and but little more than a week before his death had sat in the Record office and rested for a time, stating that he was tired and, seeing a vacant chair, came in to rest.
“Uncle Whit,” as he was called by many, was first married to Miss Sallie Scott shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. To this union was born one son, John B. Kerr, now a citizen of Amarillo, Texas. The wife and mother died when the child was eight weeks old, her death occurring at the beginning of the war. Uncle Whit joined the army soon thereafter and did not again see his son until he was 6 years old. He served through the war with the 48th Tennessee with honor and distinction and was made second lieutenant. He was seriously wounded in the battle of Atlanta and the war ended before he was able to return to service.
After the war Mr. Kerr married Miss Fannie Scott of Alabama, a cousin to his first wife. To them were born five sons and one daughter, the daughter and one son dying in infancy. The four sons by his marriage who are now living are Julian E. of Rhea Mills, David W. and S. Frank of Celina and Albert H. of Mead, Ok. They, with John B. of Amarillo were present at the funeral.
Uncle Whit came to Texas and located on the farm where he died in 1871. He was one of those pioneers who served his community. He had expended much money and time to provide facilities for schools and religious services in those days when the conveniences of today were unknown. He was always ready to lend a helping hand in bettering educational or religious conditions. He was a good husband, father and neighbor, and that constitutes a good citizen. One of the best testimonials to the kind of life he lived is the family of sons he reared, to whom he left the greatest heritage a father can leave his children–a good name. He was a peace-loving man and never engaged in strife. He was the friend of everyone who knew him and though he lived to a ripe old age, there is sorrow throughout the community at his going.
The service over the body was conducted at the Presbyterian Church in this city Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock by his pastor, Rev. A. J. Crawford. One of the largest gatherings ever assembled at a funeral in Celina was present. During the service prayer was offered by Dr. Wharton, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sherman. At the conclusion of the service prayer was offered by Rev. Glenn L. Sneed, pastor of one of the Dallas Presbyterian Churches.
The body was followed to Walnut Grove cemetery by a concourse of people and after simple ceremony, was lowered into the earth, there to sleep until the judgment day.
Many flowers were placed upon the grave by loving hands, making it a bower of beauty and a silent and impressive testimonial to the esteem in which deceased was held.
Out of town friends and relatives present were Capt. J. S. Dowell, W. W. Kerr, W. M. Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Sneed and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Gossett of McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. Klutz, of Princeton,; Willie Ramsey of Polytechnic Heights, Fort Worth; Henry Hughes of Prosper; Deak and Horace Kerr, of Seymour [Rest missing]
Celina Record, March 1925.
AND USEFUL EARTHLY LIFE
At 6 o’clock Saturday morning, Feb. 28th, John Whitfield Kerr, born in Maurry County, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1834, closed his eyes upon the scenes of this work, the exact duration of his sojourn here having been ninety years, five months and twenty-six days.
Death was due to pneumonia against the ravages of which his feeble body fought a losing fight of a week’s duration. He had been up only two or three weeks from an attack of influenza when his last illness developed, and his body, feeble with age, was left much more so by this disease. He had been able to come to town several times and but little more than a week before his death had sat in the Record office and rested for a time, stating that he was tired and, seeing a vacant chair, came in to rest.
“Uncle Whit,” as he was called by many, was first married to Miss Sallie Scott shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. To this union was born one son, John B. Kerr, now a citizen of Amarillo, Texas. The wife and mother died when the child was eight weeks old, her death occurring at the beginning of the war. Uncle Whit joined the army soon thereafter and did not again see his son until he was 6 years old. He served through the war with the 48th Tennessee with honor and distinction and was made second lieutenant. He was seriously wounded in the battle of Atlanta and the war ended before he was able to return to service.
After the war Mr. Kerr married Miss Fannie Scott of Alabama, a cousin to his first wife. To them were born five sons and one daughter, the daughter and one son dying in infancy. The four sons by his marriage who are now living are Julian E. of Rhea Mills, David W. and S. Frank of Celina and Albert H. of Mead, Ok. They, with John B. of Amarillo were present at the funeral.
Uncle Whit came to Texas and located on the farm where he died in 1871. He was one of those pioneers who served his community. He had expended much money and time to provide facilities for schools and religious services in those days when the conveniences of today were unknown. He was always ready to lend a helping hand in bettering educational or religious conditions. He was a good husband, father and neighbor, and that constitutes a good citizen. One of the best testimonials to the kind of life he lived is the family of sons he reared, to whom he left the greatest heritage a father can leave his children–a good name. He was a peace-loving man and never engaged in strife. He was the friend of everyone who knew him and though he lived to a ripe old age, there is sorrow throughout the community at his going.
The service over the body was conducted at the Presbyterian Church in this city Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock by his pastor, Rev. A. J. Crawford. One of the largest gatherings ever assembled at a funeral in Celina was present. During the service prayer was offered by Dr. Wharton, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sherman. At the conclusion of the service prayer was offered by Rev. Glenn L. Sneed, pastor of one of the Dallas Presbyterian Churches.
The body was followed to Walnut Grove cemetery by a concourse of people and after simple ceremony, was lowered into the earth, there to sleep until the judgment day.
Many flowers were placed upon the grave by loving hands, making it a bower of beauty and a silent and impressive testimonial to the esteem in which deceased was held.
Out of town friends and relatives present were Capt. J. S. Dowell, W. W. Kerr, W. M. Kerr, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Sneed and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Gossett of McKinney; Mr. and Mrs. Klutz, of Princeton,; Willie Ramsey of Polytechnic Heights, Fort Worth; Henry Hughes of Prosper; Deak and Horace Kerr, of Seymour [Rest missing]
