James B. Merritt

MERRITT, WING

Posted By: Jeanie
Date: 5/17/2005 at 19:02:05

James B. Merritt.

One of the leading and most highly respected farmers of Highland township, as well as the first settler, is James B. Merritt, who was born in Orange County, New York, on the 5th day of Aug., 1814. His father Daniel M. Merritt was a farmer. James spent the first nineteen years of his life at home attending school and helping to carry on the farm, after which he left his parents and learned the mason trade, at which he worked until the year 1855, when he came west and settled in this County, Highland township. As already stated Mr. Merritt, was the first settler in the township. Without neighbors, with nothing but the tall prairie grass for miles around, and the prairie wolves to sing him to sleep night after night, for a number of years still remaining making for himself and family a home in this beautiful township, which to-day is thickly settled.

His farm is located near the center portion of the township and is nearly all under cultivation with all the conveniences of the modern farmer. In the year 1839, Mr. Merritt was married to Miss Laura Wing of Shram, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. Since their marriage he has been blessed with ten children, three of whom are still living and hold a high position in society.

From the History of Tama County, Iowa. by Samuel D. Chapman. Printed at the Toledo Times Office. 1879. Page 156 and 157.