PETER MERRITT

MERRITT, SKINNER

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 16:37:20

PETER MERRITT

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. pp. 320 - 321.

"Peter MERRITT, farmer, section 21, Athens Township, has been identified with the interests of Ringgold County for thirty years. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 4, 1828, son of William J. Merritt, whose sketch appears on another page of this history. When he was two years old his parents removed to Morgan County, Ohio, where he resided until nineteen years of age. His early life was spent at farm work. He received a limited education in the subscription schools of the back woods. In 1847 the family removed to Jackson.

February 23, 1850, Mr. Merritt was married to Miss Minerva J. Skinner, born in Perry County, Ohio, daughter of Charity and Samuel Skinner. In 1853, accompanied by wife and one child, he came to Iowa by team. His father and a brother-in-law named Foster came with them. The first winter was passed in Washington.

In 1854 he removed to Marion County where he resided until the spring of 1855, when he located in Athens Township, on 120 acres of Government land, entered the fall before, built a log cabin, 12 x 14, with puncheon floor, and clapboard roof. He afterward removed to section 27, where he resided until 1879, when he sold out and re-purchased the old homestead, known as Merritt Station, which he still owns. The farm contains eighty acres, well cultivated. He has a fine residence, 16 x 24, with L 14 x 16, built in 1880. He also owns eighty acres on section 21, with good house and orchard, 160 acres on section 27, well improved, making in all 377 acres.

Politically he is a Democrat. They have one daughter, Martha, wife of C. H. Lewis, of Athens Township. Mr. Merritt started in life without means, but by good management he has acquired a good property. He is classed among the leading citizens of Ringgold County."

Submitted to the Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com