Reece Merrick was born about 1820 in Ohio. He served in the military on 14 Aug 1862.

He died on 22 May 1863 in Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi.  On August 14, 1862, Reese Merrick enlisted in the 21st Infantry Company K in Hopkinton, Delaware Co., IA at the age of 42.  He mustered into the Union Army on August 23, 1862.

He participated in the Battle of Port Gibson in Mississippi and at Champion's Hill.

On May 17, 1863, Reese was wounded in the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi. His leg was amputated and he died of these wounds on May 22, 1863.

There is a monument on the Lenox College campus in the town of Hopkinton commemorates his name and the names of others who gave their lives for the preservation of the Union. It is said that this monument cost over fifteen hundred dollars to make. It was dedicated November 17, 1865, which makes it the oldest monument in Iowa and probably in the entire United States erected by public subscription in honor of the soldiers of the Civil war. Inscribed on this monument is the following: "In all, ninety-two students of this school enlisted during the war, a larger proportion than from any other school in this state."

He was married to Sarah Wragg (daughter of Thomas Wraggxe "Wragg, Thomas" and Hannah Clarkxe "Clark, Hannah") on 31 Jul 1853 in Hopkinton, Delaware County, Iowa. Justice of the Peace - J. Archibald Tate, married them. There Marriage Certificate # is 65. 

According to the marriage index Reese was 30 years old at the time of this marriage and Sarah was 22.  Sarah Wragg was born about 1831 in England. Reece Merrick and Sarah Wragg had the following children:

                Elizabeth H. Merrick was born about 1859 in Iowa.

                Janet Merrick was born in 1854 in Iowa.

                Willard Franklin Merrick born on 6 Mar 1857.

 Submitted by Thomas F. Fox on September 28, 2004.

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