A D MERRITT, b 16 Jun 1850

MERRITT, JONES, THORP, JENKINS, ROBERTS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 7/10/2004 at 17:32:45

A.D. Merritt has for some years been identified with the agricultural interest of Perry Township, and he and his brother have recently purchased one of the finest farms in this vicinity, pleasantly located on section 9. He also owns a valuable farm in Webster, Hamilton County. He is a son of Joseph Merritt, who was born in Seneca County, N.Y., in 1807. His grandfather Merritt, who was a man of powerful physique, was also a native of that State, and was a farmer and lumber dealer. Roger Merritt, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a farmer near New York City, and he leased forty acres of his land for ninety-nine years to the Government to build a naval school, and the lease is still in the Merritt family.

The father of our subject left his native State in early manhood, and proceeding to Cincinatti, Ohio, there learned the saddler's trade. He had been educated for the ministry, but did not follow it, preferring a less sedentary life. He established himself in the harness and saddlery business in Cincincatti, and remained this engaged in that city and in Toledo until he came to Iowa in 1834, making the journey with a team. He entered 160 acres of Government land in Jones County, and then turned his attention to farming, clearing and improving a good farm. He was one of the first settlers there. He remained in Jones County until 1853, when he sold with the intention of going to Oregon, but instead came to Jackson County and bought 160 acres of land, which he farmed a few years. He then took charge of his brother-in-law's place until 1875. He then retired from active business, and has since traveled much of the time. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is widely respected for his genuine integrity of character. He was twice married. His second marriage, which was to the mother of our subject, took place in Fulton, Iowa, in 1846. Mrs. Merritt's maiden name was Mary A. Jones, and she was born in London, England. Her father, Conly Jones, was a native of Ireland. He learned the printer's trade, and going to England, worked on the London Times. He emigrated to America, and found employment in the office of the St. Louis Globe. He subsequently removed to Galena, Ill., and edited the Galena Gazette until his death. He was strongly in favor of the policy of the Democratic party. The mother of our subject was reared at Shawneetown, Ill., by a family named Kirkpatric. She was twice married. Her first marriage was to Mr. William Thorp. When he died she removed to Fulton, Iowa, where she engaged in farming until her second marriage. She was a woman of rare worth and of great capability, and her death in Perry, Feb. 28, 1881, was a sad slow to many beyond her home circle. She was a true Christian and a member of the Presbyterian church. To her and her husband were born five children, namely: Charles E., in Nebraska; John C., in Fulton; A.D.; Joseph R., dead; Francis M., in Perry.

The subject of this sketch was born in Jones County, near Olin, this State, June 16, 1850, and was about four years old when his parents brought him to Jackson County. He was reared on a farm and gleaned his education in the public school. He remained at home until he was twenty-one, and in the meantime had learned the mason and plasterer's trade, which he followed in connection with moving buildings. In 1875 he bought forty acres of land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He farmed his place until 1881, when he sold it and purchased an eighty-acre tract of land near Webster City, in Hamilton County. He has improved that land into a fine farm, from which he derives a good income by renting it. In 1881 he was appointed guardian for his uncle, William Jones, and taking charge of his property, carried on his farm of 160 acres, continuing to manage the property until his uncle's death in the spring of 1888. Then he and his brother Francis bought the farm and are operating it in partnership. It is a fine farm, with the land under excellent tillage, well watered with good springs, and neatly fenced. Eighty acres of it are under plow, and there is a fine orchard and beautiful groves on the place. There is a good quarry here of good building material, and the Messrs. Merritt propose erecting a commodious stone house next fall. They raise considerable grain, besides stock, they having a herd of full-blooded and graded Jerseys, and Chester and Berkshire hogs, and some horses, using two teams about their farm labors.

Mr. Merritt was married in Bellevue, July 12, 1871, to Miss Josephine Jenkins, a daughter of the Rev. William Jenkins, a native of Wales. Her grandfather Jenkins was a life-long resident of that country. Her father came to America when a young man, and locating in Galena, was engaged in mining there until his removal to Jackson County, this State. He purchased a tract of Government land in Perry Township, and engaged in farming and also brick making. He was a man of high Christian character, and was the local minister in the Perry Methodist Episcopal Church until his death, Dec. 25, 1860. Mrs. Merritt's mother was Elizabeth Roberts, and she was born in Yorkshire, England, and was there married. She came to this country with her husband and died in Maquoketa. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The following is recorded of the nine children born to her and her husband. Napoleon B. is dead; the Rev. George W. is in Montana; Sarah E. is in Maquoketa; Mary A. is in Maquoketa; Philip R. is in Madison County, Iowa; Judson B. is in Dakota; Josephine A.; Maria A. is in Anamosa; Ida F. is in Maquoketa. Josephine was born in Perry Township, May 2, 1850. She received the preliminaries of her education in the district school, and was subsequently a diligent student at the Fayette High School, which she attended a year. After leaving school she adopted the profession of a teacher.

Since his removal to this township Mr. Merritt has made many warm and steadfast friends, as his fellow-citizens find in him one whom they can trust, one who is wise in counsel and kind and considerate in his dealings with his neighbors. He has been School Director and Supervisor of the Roads. His political sentiments are in accord with the principles promulgated by the Republican party. He is a prominent member of the A.F. and A.M. at Andrew, and is at present Chaplain of the order there. Both he and his wife are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he holding the offices of Trustee, Class-Leader and Steward, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and she is President of the Ladies' Aid Society connected with that church.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)