Willard Franklin Merrick

MERRICK, HAM, HELDRIDGE, HOLDRIDGE, DAVEY, RICHARDSON, CURRY

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/21/2007 at 22:58:00

Dyersville Commercial Newspaper, Dyersville, Iowa. 3 April 1930

Willard Franklin Merrick

"The community was shocked on Friday afternoon when it became known that Frank Merrick, a pioneer resident of this county who was visiting relatives here during the past winter had suddenly succumbed to a heart stroke and was found dead, at a wood-pile where he was working at the home of his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Ham. A physician was called at once who said death had occurred about an hour before the body was discovered.

Willard Franklin Merrick was born near Hopkinton on March 6, 1857, the son of Riece and Sarah Merrick. His childhood was spent on the farm of his grandparents and at 16 years of age he entered an apprenticeship with the firm of the Messrs Schubert and Hess, who conducted a blacksmith and wagon making business here.

His first marriage was to Miss Ada Heldridge, of Delhi. Four children were born to union of whom one son, Riece, of this city survives, the others dying in infancy and childhood. Their mother preceded him in death twenty nine years ago. Later he married Miss May Davey of this city. Four children were born to them also, three dying in infancy and early childhood, leaving one daughter Ruth of Los Angeles, California to mourn her father's death.

After the second marriage he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, and later to Spokane, Washington where he followed his trade. For the past eighteen years he has lived in Los Angeles, where his second wife preceded him in death in 1919.

Early last fall he arrived at his old home in Earlville to spend the winter with his son and sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Ham, and his half sisters, Mrs. David Richardson, and Mrs. Frank Curry of this place. Besides the above he is survived by his wife in Los Angeles, California, and a brother Henry Merrick of Spokane, Washington, five grand children and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Sunday Afternoon from the home of his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Ham, and interment was made on the family lot in Fairview cemetery. Mr. Merrick was very well known in Hopkinton, Delhi and Earlville where many of his old friends will be grieved to learn of his sudden demise."

(Submitter's note - Ada Heldridge is a miss spelling her actual name was Ada Holdridge - The spelling of son's name is incorrect the correct spelling is Reece)

Fairview Cemetery
 

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