J. Lewis Merriott, 1826-1911

MERRIOTT

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/25/2009 at 21:34:08

Well Known Citizen Passed Away at Superior Last Thursday

Grandpa Merriott died at the home of his son, George, at Superior, Iowa, June 29th, and was buried in the East Side Cemetery at Estherville Saturday afternoon.

J. L. Merriott was born in Wayne county, New York, in 1826 and was past 85 years of age at the time of his death. During his earlier years he moved to Illinois and there married Julia Lovena Adams, October 18, 1852. To this union were born six children, two of whom died in infancy, George Merriott of Superior, Iowa, Charles E. Merriott of Chickasaw county, James H. Merriott of Gruver, and Mrs. Ida Pickell of Dolliver are left to mourn his loss.

Mr. and Mrs. Merriott after their marriage, moved to Wisconsin. From there they moved to Fredericksburg, Iowa where they kept hotel one year and then moved onto a farm. Twenty years ago they moved to Emmet county and settled at Swan Lake. While here their home was destroyed once by fire, and again fell victim to a cyclone. These waves of misfortune were overcome by persistent effort and the assistance from neighbors and friends. It was when living here they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary eight years ago last October at the M. E. church in Gruver. Some years later they moved into Gruver, where they made their home until Grandma Merriott's death January 28, 1911.

Mr. Merriott survived his wife but five months. His last illness was of but one weeks duration when he fell asleep to awaken to a glad reunion over there. He was a devoted christian and a member of the M.E. church of Gruver.

He was badly injured at the time the cyclone destroyed his home in Swan Lake, and never fully recovered from the effect of that terrible storm. Grandpa Merriott was of a cheerful, kindly disposition and dearly loved and honored by all who knew him.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, July 5, 1911.