William R. Kerr

KERR-LAWRENCE-WESTFALL-CREAGER

Posted By: Dorothy Meierotto (email)
Date: 6/4/2002 at 21:41:13

Business Men of Iowa 1953: William R. Kerr., Partner, Winslow & Kerr, Publishers and Printers, Bonaparte, born Bonaparte, September 13, 1905, son of George M. and Sadie I. (Lawrence) Kerr. He graduated from Bonaparte grade school in 1919 and spent one year in high school. His first work after attending Linotype School at the age of 18, was in Canton, Illinois, on the Canton "Daily Register"; in 1922 worked on the "Leader" in Chariton, IA.; worked in a composition shop in Tacoma, Washington, then did job printing and newspaper work in several towns in Ohio; spent thirteen years in all on the "Daily Tribune" in Royal Oak, Michigan, with brief intervals elsewhere; and returned to Iowa in 1945, farming and working on newspapers in Fairfield and Burlington. In 1947 he purchased from A.G. Roberts a half interest in the "Record-Republican," Bonaparte, and has continued to date as partner in Winslow & Kerr, publishers, and printers. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Commercial Club, Typographical Union (past member), Farm Bureau, Iowa Press Association, and National Editorial Association. He is a protestant and, politically, an independent. Hobby is decorating. Married, Lewistown, Illinois, September 24, 1927, Dorothy F. Westfall, daughter of Franklin A. and Mary (Creager) Westfall of Ohio. Children; Patricia Jane, born July 18, 1928; and William Franklin, born September 7, 1931. Note: The Kerr's bought Winslow's interest in the paper June 1, 1954. Their son William Jr., who was working on the "Canton Daily Ledger" in Canton, Illinois joined his father in the "Record-Republican" in 1955, moving to Bonaparte from Canton that year, with his wife Dottie (Dodds) and two daughters Diane and Linda. Later Dottie and three of their children Diane, Linda and William M. worked at the newspaper also.