Robert A. Kerr

American politician

For other people named Robert Kerr, see Robert Kerr (disambiguation).

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]

1. ^ a b c d e Lucko, Paul M. "Kerr, Robert A." Texas State Historical Association.
2. ^ a b c d Foner, Eric (1996) Freedom's Lawmakers. Louisiana State University Press. p. 125.
3. ^ a b c "Robert A. Kerr". Texas Legislators: Past & Present. Texas Legislative Reference Library.
4. ^ "Robert A. Kerr Dies". The New York Times. April 29, 1912. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2022.

## External links[edit]

Preceded by

Benjamin Franklin Jones

|  Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 62 (Bastrop)
1881–1883  | Succeeded by

Lafayette L. Foster (Redistricting)

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