Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Herman H. Merten
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
HERMAN H. MERTEN JR., one of the younger farmers of Sherman Township, Clay County, is an example of enterprise and industry well worthy of imitation.
His land is very fertile and his buildings are mostly the work of his own hands, as he is an expert in the use of carpenter's tools.
He is a Western man
with Western interests, having been born in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 31, 1854. About 1857 his parents, Herman and Caroline (Myer) Merten, removed to Quincy,
Ill., where Herman H. was reared and attended the German school until about twelve years old. He then entered the Central Wesleyan College of Warrenton and
at the completion of his course in book-keeping, obtained a certificate and was prepared to transact any ordinary business.
When completing his studies, Mr. Merten returned to Quincy, Ill., and served an apprenticeship of over two years as a carpenter and builder. He worked about
eight years in that city and then in 1879 came to Kansas and located on a part of the land which he now owns and occupies. It was then an open prairie and
his first business was to put up a dwelling, he building a house of two rooms. Then followed as soon as possible a large barn 30 x 40-feet, with a shed 35 x
16 feet and other necessary structures. Later he built a large addition to his house which is now one of the most commodious residences in the township. He
has a corn crib and granary and all these have been erected mostly by himself, thus saving hundreds of dollars.
The farm of Mr. Merten is all enclosed and divided with neat and substantial fencing. He has planted an orchard of about fifty trees and added various other
embellishments to the place, calculated for the comfort and happiness of the home. He still follows carpentering as opportunity offers.
His family consists
of his wife and six children, he having been married in Quincy, Ill., Nov. 18, 1875 to Miss Emma, daughter of Casper and Anna (Spilker) Boge, a native of
that city. The parents of Mrs. Merten were born near Hereford, Germany, and in their native country were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The
father died at Quincy; the mother still resides there.
To Mr. and Mrs. Merten there have been born six children: Linnie, Emma, Herman J., Clara, Walter W., and Edward E., all of whom are living and form a
remarkably bright and interesting group. Mr. Merten politically, is a Democrat and socially, belongs to Morganville Lodge, No. 217, A. O. U. W. He is a
favorite both in social and business circles and his career is being watched with kindly interest by many friends.