WI BIO - Dane Co - KERR, Alexander & James B.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 404-405, 430

Biography of Alexander KERR (pp 404-405) - father of James B.

Professor Alexander KERR, A. M., professor of the Greek language and 
literature in the University of WI, was born in Aberdeen Scotland, 15 Aug 
1828, a son of George and Helen KERR, the father by occupation a farmer. 
When six years of age, our subject came to America with his parents, who 
located at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, remaining three years, then removed to 
Joliet [Will County], IL, and for three years made that place their home, 
later removing to Rockford, Winnebago County, IL.

At Rockford, [Winnebago County] IL, our subject began his education, entering 
the public schools, leaving them to enter the Rockford Scientific and 
Classical Institute, conducted by Hon. Seely PERRY, a graduate of Union 
College of Schnectady, NY. [For further information on Seely PERRY, see his 
Winnebago County, IL, biography.] Our subject later entered the sophomore 
class in Beloit College, Rock County, WI, at the age of 23 years, taking the 
full classical course, graduating in 1855 with the degree of A. B.; and in 
1858 received the degree of A. M.

In 1855 Alexander KERR moved to the State of GA, and there engaged in 
literary and educational work, conducting classes in Brownwood Institute at 
LaGrange [Troup County], GA. He served there for some time as professor of 
mathematics, and also taught the Latin language and literature. Alexander 
KERR was married in Rockford, Winnebago County, IL, 01 Jul 1857, to Miss 
Katharine Fuller BROWN, the daughter of Rev. Hope BROWN, pastor of the 
Congregational Church at Shirley [Middlesex County], MA. For a number of 
years Mr. BROWN was the agent for the Rockford Female Cemetery [Rockford, IL] 
after his pastoral work was over. Mrs. KERR was educated at New Ipswich 
Academy, New Ipswich [Hillsborough County], NH, and later graduated from the 
Rockford Seminary.

Alexander and Katharine Fuller (BROWN) KERR have been the parents of three 
children, one dying in infancy. Charles H. is a publisher, located at 175 
Dearborn Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL; and James B. is a member of the 
law firm of Sanborn & Kerr. Both of these talented young men are graduates 
of the University of WI. James B. had a fellowship for one year after 
graduation and studied law, then spent some time in traveling in Europe to 
complete his education; he was admitted to the bar in Jun 1892. During his 
European travels he visited Great Britain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy, 
and the countries of the Mediterranean Sea.

In 1860 Alexander KERR left La Grange, GA, and returned to Rockford, IL, 
where in 1862 he was made County Superintendent of Schools. [p 405] He held 
that office until Feb 1863; then he removed to Beloit [Rock County], WI, and 
engaged in public school work. At that time the school system in Beloit was 
in a bad condition and our subject took it in charge, reorganizing and 
perfecting it until he had brought order out of chaos. For eight years 
Professor KERR labored at Beloit, but in 1871 the Board of Regents of the 
State University [Madison, WI] elected him professor of Greek in that 
institution. This chair he filled with the ability which has marked every 
work of his life, and for 21 years that position has been his. He is beloved 
and appreciated.

For a long time Alexander KERR has been engaged in the preparation of an 
edition of the New Testament in Greek, one part of which has recently been 
published, and he has lectured largely upon language and popular subjects 
through the country. He has spent two summers in Greece, enjoying the home 
of his beloved classics. During the past 10 years he has devoted much time 
to the study of modern Greek. He thinks that the Greek language has never 
been dead, and that it is as much alive today as 3,000 years ago. His 
delight is to talk upon his favorite theme, and the delight of his pupils is 
to hear him, illustrating his most entertaining lectures as he does with 
photographs of his subject in most attractive form.

For some twelve years our subject was a member of the Board of Education of 
the city of Madison, WI. He has a handsome residence upon Langdon Street, 
which, with its beautiful lawn sloping to Lake Mendota, is one of the most 
attractive places in the city. However, into this abode of happiness and 
comfort the death angel came; his wife, Katharine Fuller (BROWN) KERR, died 
23 Jul 1890.

Professor KERR claims to be Independent in politics, although he usually 
votes with the Republican party. Religiously, he belongs to the 
Congregational Church. He has been particularly blessed in his sons. Both 
of them have filled his heart with pride on account of their literary 
attainments. We have mentioned James above. Charles is one of the 
successful publishers of the city of Chicago, and since 1886 he has been in 
business for himself. He graduated from the University of WI in 1881, with 
the degree of A. B., and made a specialty of the French language and 
literature. He has issued over fifty books on various subjects from his 
office, and is considered a promising young man.

Biography of James B. KERR (p 430) - son of Alexander

James B. KERR, one of the promising young members of the bar in Dane County, 
WI, was born in Beloit [Rock County], WI, 28 Sep 1867, a son of Alexander and 
Katherine (BROWN) KERR. [Note her first name is spelled "Katharine" in the 
above biography.] Alexander KERR was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and 
Katherine (BROWN) KERR was a native of Shirley [Middlesex County], MA. 
Alexander KERR is the well known professor of Greek at the WI State 
University, and was the father of two sons, James B., our subject; and 
Charles H., who is a publisher in Chicago [Cook County], IL. Professor KERR 
came to this city in 1870 and accepted the Chair of Greek in the University, 
which he has held with great efficiency.

James B. KERR was sent in youth to the common schools, where he received a 
foundation education, upon which he later built when he entered the 
University of WI in 1885, where he took the classical course, graduating in 
the class of 1889 with the degree of B. A. Elected to a Fellowship, he for 
one year taught Greek, but in the fall of 1890 he entered the law school and 
graduated in the spring of 1892. During that time he had been a student with 
Pinney & Sanborn, and now is a member of the firm of Sanborn & Kerr.

James B. KERR is a Republican in his political views, and has become 
prominent in the party work in the present campaign. He is a very bright and 
intelligent member of the legal profession, receiving recognition throughout 
Dane County. After his first year of graduation he received the degree of A. 
M., and is one of the most scholarly members of the bar in Madison. A great 
grief was the death of his beloved mother [Katherine (BROWN) KERR], in Jul 
1890.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly