Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-George Merrill


Portrait and Biographical Record of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




GEORGE MERRILL was for some years a well-known and leading citizen of Garfield Township, Dickinson County. He deserves representation in this volume, and his sketch will be read with interest by the many friends whom he left behind him. He was born in Litchfield Township, Bradford County, Pa., November 8, 1804, and was reared in the county of his nativity, and there spent his entire life until his removal to Kansas in the month of May, 1871. On coming to Dickinson County, he settled on section 20, Garfield Township, where he resided throughout the remainder of his life.

Mr. Merrill was married in Shoshequin, Bradford County, Pa., on the 9th of November, 1837, to Catherine Boyce, who was born in that place. Their marriage was celebrated on her twenty-second birthday. While residing in the Keystone State four children were born of their union, all of whom are yet living. Mary E., the eldest, is a successful school teacher; Matilda is next in order of birth: Clarence is represented elsewhere in this work; and Clara is the wife of Edward K. Murray.

Mr. Merrill, of this sketch, was a cooper by trade. He learned the business when a young man, but followed it very little during his life. He followed mechanical pursuits during the greater part of his residence in Pennsylvania, but after coming to Kansas devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits, improving a good farm. He took quite an active part in public affairs and was a friend to all social, educational and moral interests. In his political sentiments, he was a stanch Democrat, never swerving in his allegiance to that party. He held membership with no church, but was a believer in the Universalist faith. He passed away on the 29th of October, 1887, at the age of eighty-three years, and many friends mourned his loss, for he was highly respected throughout the community, and had the warm regard of all with whom he had been brought in contact.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP