Merritt Heber McCorkle (1935)
GILBERT, GRANNIS, MCCORKLE, MCDONALD, MEKEMSON, PAXTON, SKINNER
Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 11/21/2007 at 15:32:41
The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 4, 1935
Page 2DEATH OF M. H. McCORKLE
Former Supervisor and Long Time Resident of Jackson Dies at Clarinda
M. H. McCorkle, better known to his friends as “Merritt,” died at Clarinda Tuesday, June 25, at the age of 82 years.
He was born in Putman county, Indiana, and moved to Marion county, Iowa, with his parents, when he was five years of age. They moved to Madison county in 1877 and located on a farm in section 26, Jackson township. Here he resided until 1906, when he moved to Earlham.
During his long time residence in Madison county, he was active in public affairs, was for many years a member of the Jackson township school board and filled other township offices and later was elected a member of the board of county supervisors.
The remaining members of his family are Mrs. Bertha McDonald of New Hampton and W. A. McCorkle of this county; Lloyd McCorkle of De Soto and Calvin McCorkle of Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Funeral services will be held at the Pitzer church Thursday, June 27th at 2 o’clock and burial will be in the Pitzer cemetery.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 4, 1935
Page 2Merritt Heber McCorkle
Almost eighty-three years ago, October 22, 1852, there came to the home of William and Eleanor McCorkle, near Carpenterville, Putnan county, Indiana, their first born a son, whom they named Merritt Heber. When but a child he came with his parents to Marion county, Iowa making the long trip for those days with ox team and wagon. His mother died when he was a young man, but his father lived to the ripe old age of ninety one.
The earthly journey of this weary pilgrim came to a close the morning of June 25, 1935. There survive him all his brothers and sisters: Edward L. of Smith Center, Kansas; Elmer E. of Glendale, California; Jennie Paxton of Los Angeles, California; Lydia Gilbert of Lindsey, California; Mae Grannis of Vancouver, Washington. His children Bertha E. McDonald, New Hampton, Iowa; Lloyd E. McCorkle, De Soto, Iowa; Walter A. McCorkle, Earlham, Iowa; Calvin M. McCorkle, Fort Wayne, Indiana; eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
February 28, 177, (1877), he was united in marriage to Joann Mekemson of Briggsville, Illinois. They lived in Marion county, Iowa, until March 23, 1878, when they moved ten miles west of Winterset, Jackson township, Madison county, where they lived many years. Joann died October 27, 1888 and was buried in Jackson township cemetery. Rev. James Sawhill officiated.
Not only the family home but the church home was established. Father, mother and children held membership in the Pitzer United Presbyterian church, known as Union Congregation located two miles north of the old home.
March 25, 1890 he was married to Louvisa Skinner of Columbus, Ohio. In September 1906 they moved to Earlham and December 1, 1929, this dear companion and helpmate of many years passed away. Since that time he has cheerfully borne with the loneliness and the many changes from home to home which became more bewildering as bodily strength diminished. He gladly welcomed his release and spoke often of his desire to depart and be with his loved ones on the other shore.
During the long years of his residence in Madison county, he was widely known as his numerous activities brought him in contact with many people. His reputation for honesty and square dealing is well known to all. For many years he was actively engaged in buying and shipping live stock and gave gladly of his time in public service having served his township as trustee and assessor and was secretary of the school board for fifteen years. He also served as county supervisor and had always the good of his community in mind.
Funeral services were held at Pitzer at 2, o’clock Thursday, June 26, 1935, with burial in the Jackson township cemetery. Rev. W. C. Porter was in charge. Mrs. Porter and John Sawhill sang.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, July 4, 1935
Page 7DeSoto Happenings
Word was received Wednesday by relatives here of the death of Merritt McCorkle, the father of L. E. McCorkle at Clarinda, who passed away Tuesday forenoon. He has been in failing health for a number of years, and his death was caused by the general exhaustion of age, he being 84 years old. He was one of the pioneers of Madison county, his home being on a farm just east of Pitzer since early manhood. His funeral services were held Thursday afternoon.
At the Pitzer United Presbyterian church conducted by a former Winterset pastor, Rev. Porter, who is now stationed at Waterloo, Mr. McCorkle was laid to rest in the family plot in the Pitzer cemetery. His son, L. E. and Walter and daughter, Mrs. Bertha McDonald of New Hampton were here, but a son, Calvin whose home is in Illinois was unable to be present.
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