Richard Merrill

MERRILL

Posted By: Diane Wilson (email)
Date: 7/29/2002 at 20:42:57

In the fall of 1861 Richard Merrill was elected to this office (County Superintendent of Schools), and served for two terms.
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Mr. Merrill was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on July 14, 1814. He emigrated in early childhood with his parents to Belmont county, Ohio, where his youth was spent on a farm and attending common schools. After arriving at manhood he undertook the task of obtaining a liberal education. By dint of that dogged perseverance which characterized him through life, and by his own unaided efforts, he prepared himself and entered New Athens College, from which he graduated with credit to himself.
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After this, being strongly a Presbyterian in his faith, he went to a theological seminary at Pittsford, Pa., and completed the course of study preparing him for the ministry, and commenced preaching the gospel in Carroll county, Ohio. He continued there in the ministry until 1859, when he came to Butler county, where the first few years of his residence were spent principally in preaching the gospel, having charge of congregations at Coldwater, Boylan’s Grove and Butler Center.
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He continued a useful life, and an active worker in every good cause until December 4, 1875, when, at the age of 62 years, he was called from early labor to that home beyond the river. He was a man of strong mind. He reasoned vigorously. He accepted no proposition until he had tested it by his logical powers. When it met the approval of his intellect he inflexibly maintained it.
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As a citizen he interested himself in everything that tended to build up society. As a friend he was warm and abiding. The labor and turmoil of his life is over, and he has gone to his rest. For a number of years prior to his death he resided at Butler Center, and was extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits. His widow still lives there.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Pages 369-370