1891 Biography - Wilson McKerall

WILSON McKERALL, FRANKLIN. -- Wilson McKerall, mayor of Franklin, was born at Hyde Park, New York, August 9, 1847. His father, Wilson McKerall, Sr., was a native of South Carolina, born 1813. The latter days of his life he spent in St. Mary parish, having come there a carpenter. He became one of St. Mary's most prominent and substantial citizens and amassed a large fortune. He held various positions of public trust, among which was that of parish assessor and mayor of Franklin. The latter position be resigned some time before his death, in 1881, on account of failing health.

Wilson McKerall's mother, Emily Whitcomb, was a native of Connecticut. She died in Franklin in 1861.

Wilson McKerall was an only child. He spent his school days at Harrods, Kentucky, and received a fair business education. He left school at the age of thirteen years and began life for himself. In 1861 he engaged as engineer on the steamboat T. D. Hine, which was in the Confederate service, engaged in transporting troops. Shortly afterward Mr. McKerall accepted a similar position on the steamer St. Mary, plying between Morgan City and New Iberia. In 1862 he went aboard the gun-boat Diana, which was burnt above Franklin shortly afterward. Afterward Mr. McKerall was on the government transport boat A. G. Brown, engaged in transporting government supplies and troops on the Bayou Teche and to New Orleans via the gulf, and from New Orleans to Mobile Bay. The A. G. Brown was in the engagement at the Spanish Fort, Mobile. From her Mr. McKerall was transferred to the steamer St. Charles, which was in the Confederate States service transporting troops from New Orleans to Montgomery, Alabama.

For a number of years antecedent to 1880 Mr. McKerall was engaged on the United States mail boat Anna E. Since 1880 he has given his attention to his banking and real estate business at Franklin. As a citizen Mr. McKerall is identified with everything tending to the promotion of his town and parish. Recognizing his public-spiritedness his fellow townsmen have honored him by electing him mayor of this thriving little city, and in this capacity Mr. McKerall has demonstrated his executive ability.

He was married, January 27, 1868, to Miss Frances E. Gordy. To them have been born five children, two sons and three daughters.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, published in 1891, Biographical Section, pages 374-375.