Dr. John T. MERRILL

MERRILL

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/17/2008 at 19:19:55

Mount Ayr News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
December 22, 1904

OBITUARY - DR. JOHN T. MERRILL

Dr. John T. MERRILL, pioneer physician, and one of the prominent citizens of Mount Ayr, died at 4 o'clock Sunday morning at his home, age 69 years. He had been in poor health for some years.

The funeral was conducted at 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the family home according to the impressive ritual of the Knights-Templars, of which order Dr. MERRILL had been a member for 33 years.

Dr. MERRILL was made a Mason in 1860. He became a Royal Arch Mason at Afton in 1869, a Knight-Templar at Clarinda in 1871. He was a member of Tripolis Commandery of Leon.

The services at the home were in charge of Tripolis Commandery of Leon, the services being conducted by Dr. H. R. Layton, eminent commander, I. N. BEARD, captain general, and Rev. A. M. PILCHER, prelate. Faith Lodge, A.F. & A.M., attending in a body. The officiating clergymen were Revs. T. J. REAM and L. C. SWAN. Interment was made in Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.

Knights -Templars who came this morning to attend the funeral, were as follows:

Rev. A. M. PILCHER, Dr. H. R. LAYTON, Hon. M. F. STOOKEY, H. FARQUHAR, J. A. HARRIS, Capt. J. D. BROWN, H. L. LONG, E. A. GARDNER, G. W. WADSWORTH, Dr. J. W. ROWELL, E. J. BROWN, I. N. BEARD, J. A. CASTER, J. F. HARVEY, W. R. ELLINWOOD, Dr. F. A. BOWMAN, W. A. BOONE, W. E. MYERS, all of Leon; W. B. HORNER, Lamoni, and Reuben SHELDON, Kellerton.

Transciption by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2008