David Stewart Ker

David Stewart Ker
Member of Parliament for Downpatrick
In office
1841-1847
1859-1867
Member of Parliament for Down
In office
1852-1857
Personal details
Born November 1816
Died 8 October 1878 (aged 61)
Spouse(s) Anna Dorothea
Caroline Persse
Children 13, including Richard
Parent
Relatives Richard Ker (brother)
Robert Stewart (grandfather)
Robert Stewart (uncle)
John Waring Maxwell (uncle)

David Stewart Ker (November 1816 – 8 October 1878) was an Irish landowner and politician.

Biography

He was a son of David Guardi Ker, MP for Athlone 18201826 and Downpatrick 18351841, and Selina Sarah, daughter of the first Marquess of Londonderry, and the elder brother of Richard Ker, Member of Parliament for Downpatrick, 1847-1851 and 1857–1859.

He was a member of the landed gentry, inheriting the estates at Montalto and Portavo, Ballynahinch on his father's death in 1844. He served as a magistrate, deputy lieutenant and High Sheriff of County Down for 1852 and High Sheriff of Antrim for 1857.

He was elected the Member of Parliament for Downpatrick, 18411847 and 1859-1867 and for County Down, 18521857.

Persona life

He married twice: firstly Anna Dorothea, the daughter of Hans Blackwood, 3rd Baron Dufferin and Claneboye with whom he had 12 children and secondly Caroline Persse from Galway (who ran off with his son Charley).

He was buried in Magheradrool Church of Ireland graveyard and succeeded by his eldest son, Alfred David Ker. After his death the estates passed to another son, Richard Ker.