JOHN McKERRALL, one of the
well known and substantial citizens of Chatham, is a
worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of
County Kent, one which brought from Scotland the habits
of industry and thrift which are necessary contributions
to the prosperity of any community.
John McKerrall, the
grandfather of the above named John McKerrall, was born
in South End, Argyllshire, Scotland, and there married a
daughter of the McNaughton family. They became the
parents of these children: Hugh; John; Peter; Jennette,
who married John McKay, and is now deceased; Katherine,
who became Mrs. Donald McCorvie and is now deceased; and
Dougald, who was the father of the subject of this
sketch. The father died in Scotland, and his widow
accompanied some of her children to Kent County, about
1828, and they settled in what is now the township of
Chatham. This pioneer mother died there in 1835.
Dougald McKerrall was the
eldest son, and was born in Argyllshire, Scotland,
October 9th, 1792, and he died in Chatham, Ontario,
April 6th, 1880. In 1817 he was married to Jane
Breckenridge, who was born February 6th, 1797, in
Argyllshire, and died in February 1872. In 1850 they
came to Ontario and followed farming in the township of
Chatham for many years. Their son Peter now owns and
resides on the old homestead, located about eight miles
from the city of Chatham. To Dougald McKerrall and wife
were born these children: Hugh, born October 16th,
1821, resides on Victoria avenue, Chatham; Margaret,
born January 1st, 1825, married Alexander Ralston, and
now resides in the State of Illinois; John, born October
29th, 1826; Jennette, born November 12th, 1832, became
Mrs. Brodie, and is now deceased; Jane, born May 25th,
1837, became Mrs. McCoig, and is deceased; and Edward,
born March 27th, 1839, is a well-to-do farmer in Harwich
township near the City of Chatham. Hugh Breckenridge,
the maternal grandfather of this family died in Scotland
and his widow some years later, in the State of Ohio.
In 1848, John Kerrall, the
subject of this sketch, preceding his parents to
Ontario, settled in what is now known as Scotch
Settlement, in Chatham township. In 1849, in
parternship with his brother-in-law, Alexander Ralston,
he purchased 100 acres of land in that township, this
property now being owned by his brother Peter. Later he
sold his interest to his partner, and, in 1854, moved to
Chatham, at which time, the beautiful and stately
Victoria avenue was a cow pasture. Mr. McKerrall
purchased a lot at the north-east end of the Fifth
street bridge, and there carried on business for
twenty-six years. About 1880 he retired from active
life, built his comfortable residence on Victoria
avenue, and there enjoys the evening of life surrounded
by the comforts provided by his years of industry.
In 1856 Mr. McKerrall was
married (first) to Miss Mary McLean, who died on March
3, 1860. Four children were born to this union, of whom
only Jane, the wife of James Holmes, Esq., survives. In
1862 Mr. McKerrall married Jane Paxton, who was born in
1838, to whom two children were born, one of these being
deceased, and the other John A., a merchant in Chatham.
For several years Mr. McKerrall has been an elder in the
First Presbyterian Church in this city, and is held in
universal esteem. In politics he is of the Liberal
faith.
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