Andrew Jackson MERRITT, farmer, section 20, Athens Township, is one of the oldest pioneers living in the township. He is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, where he was born December 16, 1832, son of William J. MERRITT, deceased, a well-known pioneer of this county. He resided in his native county until fifteen years of age, then removed to Jackson County with his family, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the common schools, and assisted in the work of the farm. In the fall of 1853 he came to Iowa, spending the first winter in Washington County, and the spring following removed to Keokuk County, and in the spring of 1855 came to Ringgold County, and settled in Athens Township.

He was united in marriage April 5, 1858, with Miss Matilda STRICKLAND, born in Coles County, Illinois, November 5, 1840, daughter of S. C. and Sarah (BENSON) STRICKLAND. She was left an orphan at an early age, and was reared by Joseph STRICKLAND, who came to Decatur County in 1854.

After his marriage Mr. MERRITT located on section 17, which was partly improved. A log cabin had been built and a few acres had been broken. After living here one year he removed to section 16, on school land, and from there to section 27, where he resided about three years, then removed to section 6, Riley Township. In 1870 he came to his present farm, which had been improved by Andy FOSTER, and here he has since resided. His farm contains 120 acres, and is in a good state of cultivation, and well improved. He also owns 160 acres on section 17, and sixty-two acres on section 7, twenty acres of timber land on section 36, of Poe Township, making a total of 322 acres.

Mr. and Mrs. MERRITT have three children living -- Joseph F., Martha Ella, and Andrew Clayton. Mary Alice is deceased. Mr. MERRITT has always taken an active interest in anything that promotes the welfare of the community in which he lives, and is classed among the best citizens of the county, where he has so long resided. Postoffice, Kellerton.

NOTE: Andrew Jackson MERRIT died May 14, 1916, Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. Matilda (STRICKLAND) MERRIT was born November 5, 1840, Coles County, Illinois, and died November 27, 1907, Ringgold County, Iowa. Andrew and Matilda were interred at Merritt Cemetery near Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa. Andrew and Matilda were the parents of four children:

1) Joseph Franklin MERRITT
    born 25 Jan 1859, IA; died 06 Sep 1920, Ringgold Co. IA, inter: Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton IA
    married Sarah Elizabeth "Sadie" MERRILL 18 Sep 1883, Ringgold Co. IA
              born 24 Feb 1867, Ringgold Co. IA; died 13 Feb 1953, Leon, Decatur Co. IA
    Children of Joseph Franklin & Sadie (MERRILL) MERRITT:
      1) Archie Grover MERRITT
           born 26 May 1886, Kellerton IA; died 25 Oct 1949, Ringgold Co. IA
           interment Maple Row, Kellerton IA
      2) Ada Maud MERRITT
           born 26 Mar 1893, Kellerton, Ringgold Co. IA
      3) Earl Jackson MERRITT
           born 26 Dec 1900, Kellerton, Ringgold Co. IA
      4) Minnie Gerada MERRITT
           born 28 Feb 1904, Kellerton, Ringgold Co. IA
           married 30 Nov 1930, Mount Ayr IA Ralph PAIST, born 30 Jul 1908, Kearney Co. NE
           Children: Merrit Eugene PAIST and Marilee PAIST
2) Mary Alice MERRITT
    born 1863, Ringgold Co. IA; died 07 Oct 1870, Ringgold Co. IA, interment Merritt Cemetery
3) Martha Ella MERRITT
    born 17 Jul 1865, Kellerton IA; died 13 Jul 1936, Kellerton IA, interment Merritt Cemetery
    married Charlie Edwin REYNOLDS 06 Jan 1884, Kellerton IA
            born 01 Jun 1858, Louisa Co. IA; died 04 Jan 1940, Torrance Co. CA, interment Merrit Cemetery
      Children of Martha (MERRITT) and Charlie REYNOLDS:
        1) Effie May REYNOLDS
            born 18 Oct 1884, Kellerton IA; died 02 Jul 1980, Mission, Hidalgo Co. TX
            interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
            married Rev. Jesse Vance WRIGHT 12 Jun 1907, Kellerton IA
                       born 18 Oct 1872, Girards Fort PA; died 07 Mar 1953, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co. IA
                       interment Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr IA
            Children of Effie (REYNOLDS) and Rev. Jesse Vance WRIGHT:
              1) Lila Marie WRIGHT married Melvin DeVon MANNING
              2) Floy Elsie WRIGHT married Orval Saxe ELKINS
              3) Minnie Virtue WRIGHT
                  born 22 Dec 1912, Clearfield, Ringgold Co. IA; died 03 Apr 1913, Clearfield IA
        2) Minnie A. REYNOLDS
            born 09 Nov 1886, Kellerton IA; died 13 Jul 1936, Kellerton IA, interment Merritt Cemetery
            married Ira Ora PYLE 29 Dec 1909, Kellerton IA
                       born 10 Mar 1888, Eagleville MO; died 12 Jul 1976, Ann Arbor MI interment Merritt Cemetery
            Children of Minnie (REYNOLDS) and Ira O. PYLE:
              1) Ivan Lee PYLE
                  born 09 Jun 1911, Mount Ayr IA died 19 May 1982, Silvania, Lucas Co. OH
                  interment Palmyra Cemetery, MI
                  married Kathleen MOORE
                  Children of Ivan Lee and Kathleen (MOORE) PYLE:
                    1) Richard Lee PYLE
                    2) Nancy Ellen PYLE married Thomas SHARRARD
                    3) Robert Grant PYLE married Audrey Jean MOORE
                    4) Alice Mahala PYLE married Karlton L. YOUTZY
                    5) Roger Leroy PYLE
                    6) Elvan Charlie PYLE
                        born 16 Aug 1913, Mount Ayr IA; died 04 May 1986, Lancaster CA
                        married Pauline MEDEIROS
                    7) Marvin Grant PYLE
                        born 18 Aug 1916, Kellerton IA; died 19 May 1970 Pontiac MI
                        interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Oakland MI
                        married Mollie E. BROOM
        3) Feza M. REYNOLDS
            born 22 Sep 1892, Kellerton IA; died 23 Apr 1964, Los Angeles CA, interment Merritt Cemetery
        4) Merritt Ivan REYNOLD
            born 29 Aug 1898, Kellerton IA
            married Hazel E. DAVIS 02 Nov 1922, Kellerton IA
            born 01 Nov 1905, Kellerton IA
4) Andrew Clayton MERRITT
    born 30 Jul 1879, Kellerton IA; died Mar 1946
    interment Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton, Ringgold Co. IA
    married Kate EGLY 02 Sep 1894, Ringgold Co. IA
              born 16 Dec 1870; died 12 Sep 1922, Kellerton, IA, interment Merritt Cemetery
    Children of Andrew C. and Kate (EGLY) MERRITT:
      1) Mildred MERRITT
          born 12 Jun 1900, Ringgold Co. IA; died 15 Jun 1900, Ringgold Co. IA
          interment Merritt Cemetery
      2) Catherine MERRITT
          born 10 Jan 1908, Ringgold Co. IA; died 10 Jan 1908, Ringgold Co. IA
          interment Merritt Cemetery

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 282-83, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z