Robert A. Kerr | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 62nd district | |
| In office January 11, 1881 – Jan 9, 1883 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Franklin Jones |
| Succeeded by | Lafayette L. Foster (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1833–1842 (disputed) New Orleans, U.S. |
| Died | 1912–1913 (disputed) Bastrop, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (until late 1870s) Greenback (late 1870s—1882) Republican (after 1882) |
Robert A. Kerr (1842 – January 12, 1912)[1][2] or (December 23, 1833 – January 7, 1913)[3] or (1841 – April 28, 1912)[4] was an American politician, barber, bookkeeper, civic leader, and shipping clerk. He helped establish the first high school for African Americans in Bastrop County, Texas, when he was a member of the Bastrop County School Board.[2]
He was born in New Orleans and his father, known as Major A. Kerr,[1] owned him.[2] He was banished from San Antonio for aiding runaway slaves.[2]
He was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a member of the Greenback Party in 1880.[3] He served on the Military Affairs Committee and was an opponent of the convict lease system. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1882 as a Republican.[1] Kerr was chosen as a delegate to the 1872 Republican National Convention and was chosen as an alternate delegate for the 1892 Republican National Convention.[1] He and Harriel G. Geiger were the only African-Americans to be elected into the Texas Legislature as representatives for the Greenback Party.[3]
He had an adopted child with his wife Sarah.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Lucko, Paul M. "Kerr, Robert A." Texas State Historical Association.
- ^ a b c d Foner, Eric (1996) Freedom's Lawmakers. Louisiana State University Press. p. 125.
- ^ a b c "Robert A. Kerr". Texas Legislators: Past & Present. Texas Legislative Reference Library.
- ^ "Robert A. Kerr Dies". The New York Times. April 29, 1912. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
External links[edit]