MERRILL, John W. died 1876

MERRILL, MERRIL, HORNE

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/25/2024 at 15:47:17

Death has again entered the ranks of the fast decimating phalanx of old settlers. One by one of the early pioneers, who have seen Lansing grow up from an unbroken forest wild to a populous and thriving, busy city, are passing away to that "undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler e'er returns."

The last name to place upon the fast filling roll of death is that of Mr. John W. Merrill, justly known and revered in the community as "Honest Uncle John," an appellation won by his honesty and integrity

He was taken sick last Thursday while sitting at the dinner table at the American House, where he had long boarded. He was taken from the table to a bed in the hotel from which he never arose again. He failed rapidly despite the efforts of the physicians to relieve his sufferings, and on Friday afternoon his soul was wafted into eternity.

The body was taken charge of by Mr. George Bryant on behalf of the Township Trustees, Mr. Merrill having no relatives to care for him or make provision for the last sad rites which can be bestowed upon the dead. A suitable burial case was obtained and the remains were placed therein and removed to the city council room.

His death was so sudden and the disease seemed to baffle the skill of the physicians, it was decided to hold a post mortem examination and ascertain if possible, the cause. On Saturday forenoon the post mortem was made by Drs.Craig, Taylor and others. The autopsy revealed the cause of death to be excessive hemmorhage ulceration and perforation of the stomach.

The funeral took place at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Services were held in the City Hall, Rev. Palmer Litts officiating. A large number of our old and leading citizens were present to pay their last respects to the departed.

The decease was about 70 years old. He came to Lansing about 25 years ago from Oucatchia, a little town near Oconnomowoc, Wis., where he had been at work for some time on a farm for a man named McConnell. To that place he came from Northern New York.

Shortly after he came here he took up some land a few miles west of town, and Mr. Herman Kerndt bought the farm he now owns from Mr. Merrill. Two or three years after this he opened a drug store, and when we came to Lansing he was in the old Hays block in the room now occupied as the Hufschmidt House saloon. Some years after this he removed to Front Street into the old building which stood next north of the Lansing House, where John Simon's residence now is. In a year or so he quit the business and for some time worked for the Bates' about the hotel, carrying mail to Burr Oak, Monona, etc.

He was a member of the old village board, and for many years past was successively elected as Justice of the Peace, a position he held most honorably, and satisfactorily.

His early life was a mystery, for none of our citizens, even his most intimate friends, ever heard him reveal it. It is known, however, that he was married and was supposed to have a wife living a few years ago.

Last summer a daughter visited him here. She is married and her name is Mrs. Laura Horne, and her residence supposed to be at Bear Branch, Linn, Co., Mo. She was telegraphed to before he died, but no answer was received. A brother of his lives or did live, at Chilton, Wis., and he too was telegraphed to, but no answer came from him.

And so he died and was buried with no near or dear relative to drop a tear of sorrow and affection upon the bier of the poor man; but he was among kind friends who did all they could for him while life lasted as he lay upon his sick bed, and accompanied his remains to their hallowed home in the silent city of the dead.

Mr. R.P. Spencer, rather than see the remains go into the "Potters Field," generously gave them a resting place in Oak Hill Cemetery in a lot owned by him.

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, August 23, 1876; pg 3 (Lansing, Allamakee co. Iowa)

Note: In the Lansing Mirror, Friday, August 25, 1876 was a very similar obituary, but the final paragraph contained the following: "By some mistake or other, Mrs. Laura Horne failed to receive the telegram notifying her of the illness of her father, Esq. Merrill, and in an answer she shows great anxiety for the condition of her father, and proposes to come at once and administer to his wants, if necessary. So it will be understood that the old gentleman did have kind friends, and sympathizing relatives though to far distant to render him aid in his last days on earth."