The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1868-09-09
From the Bellefontaine Republican.
An Interesting Occasion,

We had the privilege, on the Tth o
: August, 1868, OF being present at some.
what remarkable family eunion. The
twelve surviving children (nine sons and
: three daughters), of Mr.. James Kerr, de
ceased, met by previous appointment, at
the residence Of Mr.. Joseph Stevenson,
near Bellefontaine, o., Mrs. Stevenson be-
ing the Oldest sister. Mr. James Kerr, the
father of this family removed from Harri-
son to Logan county in the Spring of 1886,
aa1 died here in August, 1S4B, and his re-
mains reposc, with those of two Of bis
brothers, in the cemetery, near BellefnnE
taine. He was twice married, and beside J
three children who died in infancy or child
hood, ke was blessed with ten sohs and
three daughters, who grew to adult age,
and survived their father. One of these,
William Kerr, died nearly two years ago,
in Harrison county. The remaining twelve
brothers and sisters, the oldest fftyaseven
and the youngest twenty four, seven living
in this county, two in Harrison, one in
| Muskingum, one in Illinois, and one in
Iowa, met Mt the time and place mentioned
above, the first time that they were ever all
together. The mother of five Of them,
the widow of their father, was present to
share in their mingled feelings of joy aud
sorrow. The wives of all tie brothers, ex-
cept two, were also there, as was meet, but
the oldest brothers companion in life was
kept at home by family duties, while one
| of them, whose relative age we cannot with
politeness state, did not account for the ab>
sence of hia 1t added much to the interest
of the occasion, that the only surviving
brother of the father of this family, the
venerable Samuel Kerr, was present with
his wife, and with his son, Rev. Samuel
Kerr. The widow of yet another brother,
together with other invited guests, and
many descendants and collatcrals, partic-
pated in the enjoyments of the day. A
bountiful and excellent dinner was partaken
of by the large company; the swift flying
hours were devoted to social conversation;
and then as the shadows began to length
en-, the company gathered in the house,
and were led in devotion by Rev. G. L.
kalb who closed his exercises with a few
remarks. The 3j6ih hymn, to the old tune
OF Fiducia, both favorltes Of tceir father,
called forth many years from 'the eyes of
children who must always remember him
as priest in his own house, and gave tone
to the rest Of tie meeting. Mr. John 9.
Kerr, tee Oldest brother, spoke, as well as
his feelings would allow, of the goodness
of God to the family, of the blessedness of
having such father to remember, and of
the privilege of greeting her who had been
to them all as mother. Mr.. p. Ray
Kerr, one of the youngest members Of the
family, responded with much feeling, Of
the love and harmony that had always pre-
vailed in this large family, and for himself
and the other children of his mother, es>
pressed their sense of the kindness of the
older brothers. who had been to them as
fathers, when they we're left fatherless.- -
Mr.. Samuel Kerr, Sr., being unable to con-
trol his feelings, so as 10 make an address,
called for tie singing of ''Blest be the tie
that binds" to to be Followed with prayer
by Rev. Samuel Kerr, Jr. After making
arrangements to- visit the cemetery togeth-
er, on the next day, the meeting dissolved,
and the company dispersed.
We wore permitted to be with the friends
at the cemetery where interesting exercises
were held, which it is difficult to report.
An excellent address was made by Rev. S.
q. Faris. and touching words were spoken
by tEo OF the brothers, with mutual exhor-
tations that they should follow the footsteps
and faith of their father and mother and
uncles gone before, SO that they might at
last be reunited with them, beyond the
skies.
Much might be said On this family re-
union, and many lessons. moral and reli
gious, might be drawn from it,. but suffice
it to utter the wish that ali who on that
day joined in singing Pm not ashamed to
own my lord, may De owned by Him in
the last day-and as it is certain they will
never all meet together sgain, on earth,
may they meet where partings never come.
.