New York, Lewis Publishing Co. 1903
William Mercer
page 267
The subject of this review is a self-made man who in his your had few advantages, educational or otherwise, nor had he the assistance of influential friends, but he possessed strong resolution, and, desiring to become a successful factor in business circles in Monroe county, he has labored earnestly and energetically until his efforts have been crowned with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He now lives in Bluff Creek township, where he owned a valuable property, comprising four hundred and sixty-five acres of land, which, however, he has divided among his children, retaining for himself one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Mercer was born in Kentucky, February 26, 1827, and comes of a family of Scotch origin. From the land of hills and heather his early ancestors went to England and thence to America. The great-grandfather was a soldier in the continental army during the Revolutionary war and valiantly assisted in winning American independence. George and Mary (Martin) Mercer, the grandparents, were residents of Pennsylvania, whence they removed at an early day to Kentucky, there residing until called to their final home, the former at the age of sixty-eight years, the latter at the age of seventy-four.
Martin Mercer, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and served his country in the war of 1812 under General Jackson, participating in the “tearless battle” of New Orleans. He was married to Anna L. Biggs, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Christ) Biggs, who were residents of Kentucky, but removed to Indiana, where both passed away at an advance age, the former when he had attained four-score years, the latter at the age of seventy-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Mercer also removed to Indiana, locating there in 1831. They became the parents of ten children, but only two are yet living, William and his brother, H.H. Mercer. The father died in Indiana at the age of seventy-three, and the mother’s death occurred in the same place when she was seventy-two years of age.
The early youth of William Mercer was a period of persistent and unremitting toil. His educational privileges were very meager, as he had opportunity to attend school for only about two months each year, and during that time he pursued his studies in a log building, sitting upon seats made of slabs, which rested upon wooden pins or legs fitted into a hole bored in the wall. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager, for from an early age he worked in the fields form early morning until evening, but, always ambitious for advancement, his persistence, energy and diligence at length won the victory over limited financial circumstances, and he stands to-day as one of the successful men of his county.
On the 27th of March, 1856, Mr. Mercer married Miss Bernetta H. Sellers, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Yowell) Sellers. Her father was a son of James and Mary (Crawford) Sellers, and the former, a native of Kentucky and of Scotch descent, died in his native state, while the latter passed away in Indiana. Nathan Sellers was born in Kentucky and when he had arrived at years of maturity wedded Mary, daughter of William and Margaret (Coppage) Yowell. Her father was of English lineage and lived in Kentucky. He died in an explosion of a steamer on which he was a passenger, and his wife died in Kentucky when more than ninety years of age. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Sellers came to Iowa and here spent their remaining days, the former dying in Appanoose county at the age of seventy-five, the latter at the age of eighty years in Monroe county. They had eight children, of whom five or yet living, including Mrs. Mercer, the estimable wife of our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been born ten children, six of whom are yet living: Henry, who is married and has two children; William L., who is married and has three children; John P., who is married and has four children; Emma, at home; Ida, also with her father; and Inez, who married Dr. C.N. Hyatt and has one child. A daughter, Florence, died at the age of twenty-three years, and the others died in infancy.
Since 1850 Mr. Mercer has been a resident of Monroe county, and great changes have occurred in that period, for the wild land has been plowed and made a bloom and blossom as the rose. His own farm has undergone a complete transformation. He first purchased two hundred and sixty acres and his first farmhouse was 17x20 feet, in which he lived until 1870, when his present fine home was erected, and in the interim the boundaries of this farm have also been extended until the place comprise four hundred and sixty-five acres of land. He has divided this among his boys, who are now operating it, with the exception of William, who in February, 1902, was graduated from the College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, and is now practicing in Hailey, Idaho.
In politics Mr. Mercer was first a Whig and voted for General Scott, and in 1856 he cast his ballot for John C. Fremont and has since been a stanch Republican. He has filled various local offices and in 1860 he was elected county supervisor, serving for two years, and was the first supervisor of the first superior court of Monroe county. He has always been active in support of measures for the general good and through more than half a century’s residence in the county his labors have greatly benefited his locality, and at the same time his efforts in business circles have brought to him a very gratifying return.