Frederick B. Kerr

Frederick Blair Kerr (October 28, 1876 – November 1, 1962) was an American military officer and politician who was Adjutant General of Pennsylvania from 1935 to 1939. He was the Democratic nominee in the 1922 United States Senate special election and the 1932 United States House of Representatives election in Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district.

Early life Kerr was born on October 28, 1876.

Military service Kerr graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1899, ranked 58th in his class. He was made a first lieutenant in the 22nd Infantry Regiment on December 11, 1900. On September 4, 1902, he married Emily Bigler, daughter of former Internal Revenue Collector E. A. Bigler and granddaughter of former Governor William Bigler. Kerr resigned from the United States Army on March 19, 1904.

Politics In 1922, Kerr was the Democratic nominee in the special election to fill the remainder of the late Boies Penrose's term in the United States Senate. Republican George W. Pepper defeated Kerr 819,507 votes to 468,330.

In 1932, Kerr challenged incumbent Republican J. Banks Kurtz in Pennsylvania's 23rd congressional district. Kurtz had a record of supporting Prohibition while Kerr supported the repeal and modification of the Volstead Act. Kurtz narrowly defeated Kerr 35,342 votes to 33,950.

Adjutant General of Pennsylvania Kerr was appointed Adjutant General of Pennsylvania by Governor George Howard Earle III. At 58, he was the oldest member of Earle's cabinet. During Kerr's tenure, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation to create two African-American battalions, but the Pennsylvania National Guard required permission from the Federal government to organize the units. Several bills were introduced in Congress, but none were acted upon. He was not retained by Governor Arthur James, who replaced him with Edward Martin.

Death Kerr died on November 1, 1962 at his home in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife and three children.