Springfield-Greene
County LibraryEarly and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens
CHARLES WALTER KERR. In years gone by farmers were looked upon as a class of people who were not educated, who could do nothing but farm. Now times have changed--one can not make a pronounced success as a farmer unless one is educated, not necessarily in the classics, it is true, but educated in the things that he has to employ in his vocation--the care and management of his place. A farmer, to be a successful farmer, must carefully manage his farm and know what he is gaining or losing, and on what branch there is no profit, just the same as the business man of the city manages his business, in a way, he should be a good bookkeeper. Among the tillers of the soil in Brookline township, Greene county, who not only knows how to plow and hoe, but also how to properly manage the business end of his farm, is Charles Walter Kerr.
Mr. Kerr was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, August 9, 1874. He is a son of James A. and Sarah (Irvin) Kerr. The father was a native of Indiana, in which state he grew to manhood, and was educated in the common schools, and he remained in his native state until about 1869, when he removed to Illinois, and from that state he brought his family to Greene county, Missouri, when the subject of this sketch was six years old, the, family locating in Brookline township, in 1880, and here our subject has since resided. To James A. Kerr and wife seven children were born, three sons and four daughters, namely: J. Owen, born in 1870, lives in Republic; Elmer E., born in 1866, died in 1894; Mary E., born in 1868, married D. F. Leabo, and they live in Carthage, Missouri, Emma V., born in 1872, married R. A. Bowland, and they reside in Springfield; Charles W., of this sketch, Olive M., born in 1876, married H. H. McElhaney, and they live in Brookline township; Edna May, born in 1880, is unmarried and resides with her mother on the home place in this township. The father died October 23, 1903.
Charles W. Kerr grew to manhood on the home farm and assisted with the work during the crop seasons, attending the public schools in the winter time in his district. He has always followed farming, on the home place, managing the same for his father until the latter's death in 1903, since which time he has operated the place on his own account. He has kept it under an excellent state of improvement and cultivation. He recently completed an attractive residence, on the bungalow order, near the old home. It is on the main highway between Springfield and Republic, and is surrounded by a beautiful oak grove, and is appropriately named "The Oaks."
Mr. Kerr was married in 1911 to Frances Short, a daughter of Frank and Nancy Short, who live in Christian county, Missouri, where Mrs. Kerr was born, reared and educated, the date of her birth being 1878.
Politically, Mr. Kerr is a Republican, but while he supports every movement calculated to be of general public interest, he has never been a candidate for public office. He belongs to the Baptist church at Republic.
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