The Merrill Family of Wapello County, Iowa

JOSEPH HENRY MERRILL.

Few seemingly care to cultivate the qualities of leadership. Thev are not willing to enter upon the self-sacrificing effort which brings the individual to the forefront in any field of labor in which he may choose to engage. The great majority of people are content to remain in the stations into which they are born or are willing to follow the paths which others have made easy. Occasfonally here and there, however, are found those men whose initiative spirit carries them far beyond the common-place to the goal of success.

Such a one was Joseph Henry Merrill, founder and promoter of one of the most important commercial enterprises of Ottumwa — the extensive wholesale business which bears his name. He was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of December, 1827. One of his brothers and the brother's seven sons were in the southern army and none of the number ever suffered even a scratch, although frequently in the thickest of the fight. When a young man, in his twenty-second year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849, traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to Boston. Throughout practically his entire business life he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year removed to the middle west. He was employed for one or two years in Peoria, Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Mount Pleasant at the time of the birth of his son Herman. Leaving that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ottuma in connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he continued until 1861. During the period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued until July, 1901. He then withdrew and in connection with his son Herman opened an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into a colossal wholesale grocery business, recognized as one of the most important commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state. Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely known in financial connections as president of the Iowa National Bank and as president of the City Savings Bank. He early became familiar with the fact that success tauntingly plays before the dreamer but yields its prizes to the man of persistent, earnest effort, whose activities are guided by honorable purpose. It was along such lines that he advanced until he reached the position of leadership accorded him.

In early manhood Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miss Garaphelia Burnham, who was born in Bradford, Vermont, September 13, 1831, and who reached the age of eighty-one years when called to her final rest. In their family were five children. One son, Denison Burnham, left at his death a widow and one son, Charles Greenleaf. The surviving member of the family is Herman W. Merrill, his father's successor in business at Ottumwa. The death of Mr. Merrill occurred in 191 1, while his wife passed away in 19 12. He did much to mold public thought and action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty during his first term. In every relation of life in which he was active his influence was felt as a factor for good and for progress.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HERMAN W. MERRILL.

Business enterprise and progressiveness in Ottumwa find a worthy exponent in Herman W. Merrill, who has been and is prominently identified with commercial and financial interests. A man of resolute purpose, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and the years have placed him in a position among the successful business men of his city. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, January 15, 1858. His father, Joseph Henry Merrill, was a native of Plymouth, New Hampshire, born December 27, 1827.

Herman W. Merrill was the second child and is the only surviving member of a family of five children. He was educated in the common schools of Ottumwa and in the University of Iowa, which he attended for one year. Soon after leaving school he entered the Merrill wholesale grocery house, in which he continued from 1875 until 1901. He did not depend upon parental influence for advancement, but steadily worked his way upward, mastering every feature of the business and thus qualifying for more and more responsible positions. He is widely recognized as a man of resourceful ability, ready to meet any emergency and readily understanding the best methods of handling business situations. His energy never walters and his efforts, intelligently directed, have placed him among the prominent and prosperous business men of the city. He is now interested in the Ottumwa Pickle Company as a partner of P. H. Crowley, and he is a director in the Iowa National Bank and in the Phoenix Trust Company, while in connection with Charles Greenleaf Merrill he owns the controlling interest in the City Savings Bank. He is likewise a director of the Iowa Savings Bank and is interested in banking institutions at Albia, Chillicothe, Agency and Chicago. His investments have been judiciously made and many institutions and business enterprises have felt the stimulus of his cooperation and sound judgment.

On the 4tii of October, 1881, Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miss Emily C. Temple, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Stager) Temple. The former, now deceased, was a telegraph operator, while the latter is a sister of Anson Stager, one of the founders of the Western Union Telegraph system. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have one daughter, Sarah Pope. Politically Mr. Merrill is a Republican and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Country and the Wapello Clubs. His long residence in Ottumwa, his prominence in business, his public-spirited activity in community affairs and his lively interest in the social side of life have all combined to make him one of the popular and leading citizens of his section of the state. In all of his business activities he has seemed to readily see from the center to the very utmost circumference of possibilities and through all the passing years has wisely and advantageously used his opportunities, at the same time conforming his efforts to the highest standard of commercial ethics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Mrs. Denison B. Merrill, well known and highly esteemed throughout the city of Ottumwa, was born in Albany, New York, on the 20th of February, i86r, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Watkin Herbert, who gave her the name of Fannie. Her education was acquired in the public schools of Ottumwa and on the 19th of May, 1885, she gave her hand in marriage to Denison B. Merrill of this city, who was a son of Mr. and Mrs.

J. H. Merrill. They became the parents of one son, Charles Greenleaf Merrill, who was born in Pasadena, California, April 17, 1888, and on the 28th of September, 1911, wedded Miss Mary Garner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Garner of Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Merrill have a son, Charles Greenleaf Merrill, Jr., who was born in Ottumwa on the 18th of October, 1913. The widow of Denison B. Merrill still makes her home in Ottumwa, where she has a very extensive circle of warm friends. She is a devoted member of the First Presbyterian church and in her daily life exemplifies its teachings.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.