Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Clarence S. Merrill
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
CLARENCE S. MERRILL, formerly a
prominent resident of Dickinson County, was
born in Athens, Bradford County, Pa., and
was a son of George and Catherine (Boyce) Merrill.
His father lived to quite an advanced age, and
died in Garfield Township in 1888. Our subject
spent the early years of his life in his native city,
and his primary education, acquired in the common
schools, was supplemented by a course in a
commercial college.
On leaving Athens, Mr. Merrill went to Williamsport,
Pa., and entered upon his business career
as clerk in a large retail establishment, where he
was employed for several years. He then secured
a position as salesman in a large store in Towanda,
Pa., and continued to act in that capacity until
his removal Westward in the fall of 1870. That
year witnessed his arrival in Kansas. Before coming
West, however, he was married in Williamsport,
Pa., on the 21st of January, 1868, to Miss Emily
Crafts, daughter of Hiram and Miranda (Tapley)
Crafts, of Williamsport. Her parents were from
Maine and Massachusetts, respectively, her father
being a millwright by trade. Mrs. Crafts came to
Kansas to make her home with her daughter, but
lived only a short time after her arrival here. Mrs.
Merrill was the third in order of birth in a family
of seven children. She was born in Elmira, N. Y.,
where she passed the early years of her life until
her parents' removal to Williamsport, Pa.
About 1870, Mr. Merrill and his wife came to
Kansas and settled in Garfield Township, Dickinson
County, on a homestead farm of eighty acres.
He also bought one hundred and sixty acres of
land, and from that time until his death devoted
his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. He
placed his land all under a high state of cultivation,
erected a comfortable and commodious residence,
and made other substantial improvements. He
took quite a prominent part in public affairs and
was elected and served as Township Trustee. His
support was never withheld from any enterprise
calculated to prove of public benefit, and he was a
friend to all social, educational and moral interests.
He was an active and consistent member, and one
of the organizers, of the Presbyterian Church in
Garfield Township, and served as Deacon for a
number of years. His death occurred February 10,
1886, aged forty years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Merrill were born two sons,
George F. and Arthur S., who still reside with their
mother on the home farm and aid her in its cultivation.
Mrs. Merrill is a lady of more than average
business and executive ability, and a glance at
the old homestead indicates her careful management
and supervision. She has carried on the
work which her husband left in an excellent manner.
Like her husband, she joined the Presbyterian
Church on its organization and is the only charter
member yet living. She delights in doing good
and is a faithful Christian woman, whose many
virtues have won her the love and esteem of all
with whom she has been brought in contact.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP