(May 1826-7 Nov. 1909), merchant. Place of birth given as both Lancaster and Lochiel Tps, GC (perhaps on Lot 33, in the 5th Conc.of Lancaster, or Lot 35 in the 1st of Lochiel). Parents: Mr and Mrs Duncan Kerr. “In 1848 he engaged in lumbering on the River Beaudette. Two years later he transferred his operations to the 18th [i.e., the 9th concession of Lochiel], in the rear of McCrimmon, taking out lumber therefrom to Hawkesbury.” (Glengarrian 4 June 1909) His obituary states, “After receiving a common school education, while yet practically in his teens, he engaged for several years in the lumber business, during which period, on more than one occasion, he brought from old Glengarry to the Ancient City of Quebec valuable rafts of timber.”

     Attracted by the gold rush, he left for California in 1852. His route was via Montreal, New York, the Isthmus of Panama and San Francisco. In California, “he operated with marked success, making quite a tidy sum of money, as a dealer in mining supplies.” He returned to Alexandria on 2 June 1859. “During his absence the Grand Trunk was constructed. Returning by train to Lancaster, he took stage to Alexandria.” He operated a sawmill in Three Rivers, Que., “with indifferent success,” then in 1863 he returned to Alexandria, where he opened a general store on the location later occupied by John Boyle. The Glengarry Historical Society newsletter of May 1997 reproduced a splendid broadside dated at Alexandria, Oct., 1864 (but printed in Montreal, in those days before Alexandria had a printing office), announcing that Cosmos Kerr had opened the “California Store” at Alexandria to sell groceries and dry goods, and that he would pay the highest prices for “all kinds of Country Produce.” The Glengarry Historical Society has a copy of his portrait, taken in Montreal at the same time as the broadside was printed. He was a successful merchant, and retired some fifteen years before his death. On 2 June 1909, at a social event at his home in Alexandria, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his return from the goldfields of California. Following Cosmos Kerr’s death, his son Frank Kerr, CPR ticket agent at Alexandria, donated Cosmos Kerr’s collection of Gaelic songs to the recently organized Highland Society of Glengarry. (Glengarry News 17 Dec. 1909)

     He died presumably in Alexandria. Roman Catholic. Married (1) to Annie McPhee, sister of D.D. McPhee, merchant. She died 24 April 1865, and (2) in 1865, to Julia Ann McGillis. She was the daughter of Donald McGillis of the Tonquin voyage, deputy registrar of GC. She died 2 Oct. 1904. (six children surviving her). One of Cosmos Kerr’s daughters married John McLeister. Cosmos Kerr was buried in St. Finnan’s cemetery. Pallbearers included Senator McMillan and A.L. Smith. He was the great grand-uncle of Msgr Donald A. Kerr.

Biog. details in report on 50th anniversary of his return from the goldfields, Glengarrian 4 June 1909, and in obituary (Undated clipping) from local newspaper; QF these sources * * MacGillivray & Ross 452-453 * private information * gravestone of 1st wife, St. Finnan’s cemetery * obituary (undated clipping) of second wife* his son Frank Kerr: Ostrom 214; death, Glengarry News 27 Jan. &10 Feb. 1933