MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 57
submitted by Neal Carter, Sept. 2, 2007

ANOTHER OLD SETTLER GONE
Death of Mrs. C. M. Merry
Journal Sep. 21, 1874

Our community was shocked this morning by the announcement of the death of Mrs. C. M. Merry, of this county, at her country residence in Montpelier township, thirteen miles above the city, at 2 o’clock this morning. Although Mrs. Merry has been in rather feeble health since the accident which befell her last winter in the fall of a bridge over Sweetland Creek, while she was crossing it in a buggy, her death was comparatively sudden, and the announcement was unexpected by all but a few of our citizens. She was taken ill about ten days ago with something like cholera morbus, and steadily grew worse, until Death released her from her sufferings.

We learn that Mrs. Merry came to this county about 1844, with her husband, Dr. Merry, being then from St. Louis, where she had lived with her husband some three years. Prior to locating at St. Louis the Dr. and Mrs. Merry had lived a short time in Mexico, where they moved from Virginia. On first coming to this county, Dr. Merry bought the fine farm in Montpelier township, thirteen miles above this city, on the river, where he died in 1860 and where his wife was residing at the time of her death. In 185- the Doctor purchased his city residence on Third street, where he and his wife lived part of the time since.

Mrs. Merry was one of the first of Virginia families and was a cousin of Gen. R. M. Johnson, who won great distinction as a military chieftain in the Confederate army during the war. She was a woman of remarkable intelligence, extensive information, great force of character and vigor of mind. She had traveled in Europe and improved every opportunity of obtaining knowledge. Whether in literature or art, she exhibited rare taste and culture, and could converse fluently on almost any topic. Beside her mental gifts, she was possessed of those qualities of head and heart – a sunny temperament that made her life a continual spring-time and a generous nature – that drew around her large circles of warm friends, causing her death to be universally lamented. She leaves three children – Wm. E. Lowry, Dr. --- Merry and Mrs. Hughes.

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DEATH OF MRS. MERRY
Sep. 22, 1874

Mrs. C. M. Merry died at her residence in Montpelier, at 2 o’clock yesterday morning. Though having been an invalid for many months, from the injuries she received by her fall at Sweetland Creek bridge, it is understood that her death resulted from a recent attack of cholera morbus.

Mrs. Merry was one of the oldest residents of the county, and of the most respected of our citizens. Her residence dates back to 1844. She was well and widely known for her wit and culture, which had ripened under the skies of Sunny France as well as under the tripical rays of Mexico. She leaves a large estate which is inherited by three children – Mrs. Hughes, Wm. E. Lowery and Dr. ----- Merry.

The funeral services will be celebrated to-day at Trinity Church.

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