Quick Facts
Biography
John David Kerfoot (July 1, 1835 – March 31, 1903), attorney and businessman, was mayor of Dallas (1876–1877).
Biography
John D. Kerfoot was born July 1, 1835 in Clark County, Virginia to Franklin James Kerfoot and Harriet E. Webb. He married Harriet E. Carr on April 30, 1867 in Fauquier County, Virginia. They had eight children.
He first moved to Texas in 1855 where he set up a law practice. When the Civil War broke out, he returned to his native state. There he enlisted in the 6th Virginia Cavalry on August 24, 1861 at Camp Onward for one year. He re-enlisted for "2 yrs or War" on March 18, 1862. At the end of the war, he was paroled at Winchester, Virginia on April 21, 1865.
In 1869, he was elected as Presiding Justice for Dallas County and re-elected in 1873. In 1876 he was elected mayor of Dallas.
He organized and headed the insurance firm Kerfoot and Hereford. He was involved in the organization of The Association of Fire Underwriters of Texas in 1882 and served as vice-president in its first year. In 1891 he helped to organize of the Texas Local Fire Underwriters' Association.
John Kerfoot moved to Tom Green County, where he died on March 31, 1903. He was interred at Oak Cliff Cemetery in Dallas.