Mercer, John Taylor

MERCER, MCCULLY, MCCLEAN

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/2/2019 at 13:59:40

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 605-06:

"JOHN TAYLOR MERCER, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Bloomington Township, living on section 26, is a native of Iowa, born in Lucas County, August 3, 1850, a son of John and Margaret (McCully) Mercer, who were born, reared and married in Putnam County, Indiana. In 1847 they located in Lucas County, Iowa, and in 1856 settled in Decatur County. To them were born four children -- Ruth Elizabeth, John Taylor, Lucinda Jane, and one who died in infancy. The father was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company G, Thirty-fourth Iowa infantry. He died in the United States Hospital at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1864, after serving his country about one year. John T., our subject, was six years of age when he was brought by his parents to Decatur, and here he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father on the farm, his father having entered a large tract of land from the Government. On attaining the age of manhood he went to Clarke County, Iowa, where he remained seven years, working on a farm. He was united in marriage March 28, 1878, to Miss Lucy McClean, who was born and reared in Decatur County, her parents, George and Sarah McClean still living in this county. They had seven children born to them -- Rebecca, Mary, Eliza, Eloa, Lucy, John and George. Mr. Mercer located on the homestead where he has since resided in 1873, the farm containing 175 acres of choice land, well improved, and under good cultivation, a comfortable residence, and commodious out-buildings for the accommodation of his stock. His farm is divided into different fields, and is well watered, making it one of the best stock farms in the township. He has by his own industry and good management acquired his fine property, and by his upright and honorable dealings he has secured the respect of the entire community."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)