JOHN MERCER

MERCER

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/21/2020 at 11:35:10

JOHN MERCER, farmer and stock-raiser of section 11, Jasper township, Adams county, since 1882, was born in Highland county, Ohio, June 30, 1840, the second son and third child in a family of six sons and three daughters of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cochran) Mercer. His father was a native of Virginia, of English ancestry, and moved to Ohio when sixteen years of age. There he married the daughter of Andrew Cochran, who came from Ireland and settled in Adams county, Ohio, as a pioneer, and was finally killed in the war of 1812. The parents passed the remainder of their lives in Highland county.

Mr. Mercer of this sketch was reared to farm life, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-four years old. November 11, 1865, he married Miss Mary Ann Murphin a native of the same county in Ohio, and a daughter of Eli Murphin, who was reared also in that county, his parents being among the first settlers there. Her father came to Iowa in 1858. Mr. Mercer was married in Lucas county, Iowa, and followed farming
until he came to Adams county in 1882. He owns eighty acres in Jasper township, his farm being one of the finest in the vicinity. Mr. Mercer is allied to the Democratic party. His children are D. N., Sadie, Charles A. Mary, Maud, W. W. and Ida. His wife died August 20, 1880, and he was again married October 26, 1882, to Miss California Mitchell, a daughter of George Mitchell, and by this marriage there have been three children,— one who died in infancy, Lura Belle, and Jessie Bernice.