The Perry Record
Perry, New York
Thursday, August 14, 1913
front page

ROBERT KERSHAW HAS PASSED AWAY

Civil War Veteran and One of Town's Best Known Citizens.

Robert Kershaw, one of the oldest and best known of Perry's citizens, passed away on Tuesday morning at his home on Pine street, after an illness of several months, aged nearly 77 years.

Mr. Kershaw was born in LeRoy on Sept. 4th, 1834, and grew to manhood in that place. He later removed to Castile, where he worked at the trade of jeweler, and where he enlisted on Aug. 6th, 1862, in Company A, First New York Dragoons, serving with honor throughout the Civil War, being mustered out on June 30th, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Va. He was in more than 60 engagements, among the most prominent being Suffolk, Manassas, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Richmond and Meadow Ridge, Winchester and Appomattox.

He was united in marriage in 1870 to Mrs. Caroline VanEtten of Castile, who passed away a few years afterward, leaving two sons, John G. and Myron J. Kershaw.

Mr. Kershaw came to Perry from Castile 38 years ago and worked at the jewelers' trade until failing health compelled his retirement.

On Aug. 13th, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kniffin of Perry, who survives him, together with the to [sic] sons above named, and two sons -- Robert W., of Rochester and Edward R., of Perry; also one daughter, Mrs. John D. Gilmore of Covington. He leaves on brother, George Kershaw of Silver Springs.

Mr. Kershaw was a member of John P. Robinson Post No. 101, G. A. R., of which he was Past Commander and had been quartermaster for a number of years. He was the oldest man in years and membership, of Constellation Lodge No. 404, F. & A. M., of this place. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and friend, and a man who was held in high regard by all who knew him.

Funeral services were held at the family residence on Pine street this afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. C. H. Dibble officiating.

Members of the G. A. R., W. R. C. and Masonic organizations attended in a body. The services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic fraternity.