Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-John H. Merten
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JOHN H. MERTEN is one of those worthy
young men, who having located in Clay
County, are doing all in their power to advance
its interests and make it one of the
foremost counties in the State. He is a man of integrity,
who is worthy of the respect and confidence
of the people, which he enjoys. Always ready to
give liberally of his means and labor to any cause
he deems advisable, generous to those in need,
charitable toward those in error, a kind father and
devoted husband, he is one of whom ids fellow citizens
may well be proud, as a representative citizen
of their county.
Born in Quincy, Ill, Oct. 5. 1857, Mr. Merten
passed the first thirteen years of his life in that
pleasant city, where he obtained the rudiments of
his education. Thence, going to Delaware County,
Iowa, he made his home thereafter with F. H. Merten,
and in the winter season attended school in
Galena, Ill., where he was graduated after an advanced
course of study. However, after leaving
college, he did not cease his intellectual pursuits,
but by a careful system of reading, has broadened
his intellect and deepened his mental acquirements.
The so-called "Wild West" was an attractive place
to the vision of Mr. Merten as he could glance
ahead and discern the magnificent promises it contained
of future riches. In 1879 he came to Clay
County, locating on section 15 of Sherman Township,
on the site of his present farm of 240 acres.
Then, far as eye could reach, stretched broad and
seemingly boundless prairies. But perseverance
and industry have brought their usual reward to
Mr. Merten, for he now has a fine farm, of which
anyone might well be proud, embellished with a
convenient and commodious frame house, a good
barn, corn cribs, wind mill, a granary, and other
requisites of a modern estate. The first winter
after his arrival here, he was engaged in teaching
school, while the summer season was devoted to the
planting and harvesting of grain.
Mr. Merten was very fortunate in the selection
of a wife and helpmate, as Miss Hattie B. Klipsch,
with whom he was united in marriage Oct. 24, 1882,
is a lady possessing the many gracious charms of
womanhood, and enjoying the love and respect of
her many warm friends. She is the daughter of G.
O. and Elizabeth (Vaughn) Klipsch, natives of
Kentucky, where Mrs. Merten was likewise born.
Mr. and Mrs. Klipsch were pioneers in Sullivan
County. Mo., where they still reside. Our subject and
his wife have lost one child, Maggie, while they have
two living, John H. and Leda A. They are bright
and intelligent children, taking equal pleasure in
their games and childish pleasures and their happy
home. Mr. Merten, politically, affiliates with the
Republican party, and has served as Clerk of Sherman
Township for three years. Mrs. Merten is a
consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and
noted for her many good works. Our subject is a
charter member of the A. O. P. W. Lodge No.
217 of Morganville.
The parents of him whose biography we record
were natives of Hanover, Germany, and of Missouri,
U. S. A., respectively. The father came to America
when a lad of thirteen years, with his father. John
Merten, who with his family was a member of the
Lutheran Church, as were the Merten ancestry as
far back as their lineage can be traced.