CHARLES W. MERCER

   Charles W. Mercer served in the Army during the Civil War. When he returned home to Morganstown, West Virginia; his father decided to dispose of his property and come west. In Sept. 1864, Charles, his father, and a sister started overland by covered wagon, driving four horses, making the trip to Quincy, Illinois in 40 days. They stayed there a short time, then came to Grant, Iowa.

   Charles married Georgia Stipe and they lived with the Stipes' for a short time. Then they moved to a farm 1 1/2 miles north of where Elliott is now. Ida, Frank and Jennie were born there. In 1874 they moved to the farm one mile north and one mile east of Elliott where William, Jess and Carrie were born.

   In 1901 Charles and Georgia moved to a home in Elliott. Their son William married Ruth Howard, they started farming on the home farm, where Leota, Helen, Howard and Carl were born. In 1950 William and Ruth moved to Elliott. Daughter Leota and husband Don Gammell moved to the farm from a farm near Red Oak. Their children are Paul, Earl, Ruth and Dorothy. In 1967 Don and Leota moved to Elliott. Their son Paul and wife Mildred are now living on the farm.