Rufus Edward Merrill 1877-1926

MERRILL, PALMER, SHULTZ, SNIDER, KESSLER, GRAY, OSBORNE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/15/2012 at 18:30:24

Rufus Merril [Merrill] Passed Away August 8th
Was a Former Resident of This City for Several Years
Resided at Moberly, Mo.
Was One of the Most Efficient and Careful Employees in Service of the Rock Island
Estherville friends will regret to learn of the death of Rufus Merrill, which occurred at his home in Moberly, Missouri, Sunday afternoon, August 8th. Mr. Merrill came to Estherville several years ago to accept a position as station agent and operator. In 1902 he was made train dispatcher here, which position he held for five years when he was transferred to Cedar Rapids. He was one of the finest men who ever came to Estherville and had many friends in this city. The following obituary taken from the Moberly Home Press will be of interest to his many friends here:

“Rufus Edward Merrill was born November 27, 1877, in West Branch, Iowa, and died in the Wabash hospital in Moberly at 4:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, August 8th.

“September 21, 1898, Mr. Merrill was married to Miss Mabel H. Palmer of Hampton, Iowa, and the widow with their two children, Maude and Rufus E., Jr., together with three sisters, Mrs. J.F. Shultz, Mrs. S.C. Snider an Mrs. J.R. Kessler, all of Marshalltown, Iowa, mourn his death.

“Mr. Merrill was descended from pioneers of the United States. His father, William C. Merrill, as descended from the Grays who came over in the Mayflower and W.C. Merrill was a veteran of the Civil war having served with Co. E. 184th Ohio Inf. He was born in 1849 and was one of the youngest soldiers in the Civil war.

“His mother was a grand daughter of John Osborne, who fought in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. William C. Merrill died May 10t, just three months before the day of the burial of her son.

“Mr. Merrill was a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge and the Eastern Star, he was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fourth Street M.E. church.

“Mr. Merrill was educated in Montezuma, Iowa, graduating from the high school at fifteen years of age. He immediately began work as a station helper and one year later was appointed station agent and operator, later he was transferred to Pipestone, Minnesota, where he held the same position and was station agent and operator at Round Lake, Minnesota, Goodell, Dinsdale, Sunberry, Tipton, Bennett, Rowley and Estherville, Iowa. He was made train dispatcher in Estherville, July 1, 1902, and after holding this position for five years was transferred to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he continued as train dispatcher. Before coming to Moberly seventeen years ago he held positions with the M. and St. L., the C.B. & Q., the Rock Island and the Milwaukee railroads. At the time of his death he was night chief dispatcher and associates say he was never late to work and never slept on duty. His advancement showed that he was making good in railroad circles and at the time of his death he was in line for a substantial promotion.

“Mr. Merrill was a splendid citizen, a real brother in the fraternal orders to which he belonged, a friendly and helpful co-worker in the officer where so many years were spent, a consistent member of the church, a devoted brother to the three sisters who mourn the death of their mother and only brother within the span of three months, a loving and indulgent father whose chief joy in life was found with his loved ones in the family home and a man whose presence will be missed in the neighborhood where he always had a greeting and kind work for all.

“The funeral was conducted by Rev. Leslie C. Myers in the Fourth street M.E. church at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends. The choir of the church with Mrs. Lee Reynolds at the organ sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and “Good will Take Care of Your”. Mrs. A.K. Mahan and Miss Gertrude Thelma Barker sang “Whispering Hope,” which was a special favorite of Mr. Merrill’s.

“The following dispatchers served as pall bearers: G.R. Greathouse, L.L. Sullivan, M.W. Ferritor, C.E. Asbury, W.O. Davis and C. W. Cotter. All dispatcher who were not on duty were in attendance at the funeral. Officials of both divisions and the office force so far as possible were present at the obsequies.

“The last rites at the grave in Oakland cemetery were in charge of the Masons. The wonderful display of floral offerings slowed the respect and esteem in which the deceased had been held by friends and associates. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, August 25, 1926)