Kerr, William J. (William John), 1889-1965

William John Kerr was born in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, May 19, 1877. He moved first to Scotland, in search of better wages and later, in 1902 to Canada. In 1907, he began training as a Salvation Army officer in Toronto and was commissioned as Probationary Lieutenant in 1908. That year he was appointed to work among the Alaska Natives in Killisnoo. During his career he worked in British Columbia, the Yukon and Alaska. In 1926, he and Ensign Elizabeth Maryon were married and together went to work in Wrangell, Alaska. In 1939, after many years of service as a Salvation Army Officer, they retired to Vancouver with their five boys (William George, Douglas Rupert Alexander, Gordon Bramwell, Donald Victor and Howard Brengle). He was buried Dec. 31, 1952. Elizabeth Kerr died July 12, 1998. [From William G. Kerr, Dec. 10, 2004.].

From the description of William J. Kerr photograph collection [graphic], ca. 1890's-1920's. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 61495691