The Merrill Newsletter - Volume 7, Number 1 - October, 2001 - Page 2

The Merrills of Yates Center, Kansas

by Richard Swymeler

 

In the summer of 1927, a young Marine Corps Private was in downtown Seattle during Fleet Week with some of his comrades to attend one of the many dance halls in the thriving 1920's town of Seattle, Washington. Seattle was the biggest city to which Daniel William Merrill had been. Daniel had grown up in the small Kansas town of Yates Center.

As the story goes, my grandmother (Margaret Carriveau, 21) was the envy of the family with her ability to 'Charleston' in all the dance halls around Seattle. She and her cousins from the Carriveau and Raboin families had made it an annual event to dance with the `guys' in town during this annual celebration week in Seattle.

My grandmother and her cousins were outside the dancehall smoking cigarettes, when Margaret decided to throw her lit cigarette on a bench without regards to who might come along and sit down. Not realizing the 'fiery' condition about to take place, Daniel sat down and burned a hole in his Marine Corps slacks and turned around to catch a glimpse of the young girl who would one day become his bride.

We have never heard the end of the story, but it is the beginning of the fire-kindled love that led to Daniel William Merrill and Margaret Mary Carriveau to wed on April 22, 1928. To this union three children were born: William Richard (Billie), Gloria Louise and Richard Rae. Young Billie died of complications of bronchial pneumonia on March 16, 1931, just one day after Gloria's first birthday. In researching family histories, it is always sad to find a young child pass on to eternity. One can only imagine the pain suffered by this young couple; but as all do, continue to endure life's misfortunes and raise their children who become the citizens of the next generation.

While not important to the Rich and Famous, the majority of our planet's population live their lives unnoticed except through the eyes of those living with them or encountering them upon their earthly journey. It is that interest in people, my people, that has kindled a desire to know about my family. To study their environs and glean from pictures, stories and records from the past, all under the guise of genealogy to build a report that future generations might be able to link to.

The young Merrill Family of Seattle documented life in albums of pictures that recorded still life events in their family. I have often thought that the pictures spoke to me of `snaps' of time in these people's life. Some of the pictures captured in these albums have dates recorded on the back of them, names, places many do not. It is, however, that through these pictures, I have been able to piece my way (for the MERRILL family) back to about 1815 in St-Lawrence County, New York.

Dora (Craig), Frank J., and William Merrill

Photo restoration by Robert C. Sollars

Years ago, I found in my grandmother's album a picture of a young man, his wife and a young boy. The picture was taken in Burlington, Kansas. On the back of the picture there are no names, just a note written, `burned in the fall of 1897, killed June 1899. How this young man looked so much like my grandfather Daniel, big ears, dark hair. Who was this couple? Who was killed? Unfortunately, my mom (Gloria) and uncle (Richard) did not know. That curiosity many years ago was a spark of curiosity that led me to answers that have surprised me, my mom and the rest of the family.

When I first started to research my Merrill Family roots, I only had the names of my grandfather, Daniel William Merrill, born in Kansas, I also knew that he had twin brothers, Claude and Clyde, also born in Kansas.
That was it!

Clyde, Dan, and Claude, William and Dora Merrill's boys

About 3 years ago, I wrote for granddad's social security application, as no living person could verify where in Kansas he was born. My mom and uncle had thought he was born in Yates Center; however, a letter to the county courthouse indicated otherwise. I had a copy of his funeral service that listed his parents' names, but no valid source of data. Granddad's death certificate only indicated that he was born in Kansas. Thank you to President Roosevelt and the 1936 Social Security Act and the Freedom of Information Act, which has allowed me access to this record. There it was, Granddad's writing, September 28, 1904, Wier City, Kansas.

With this little piece of information, I wrote to the Cherokee County Genealogical Society and had some work done with the little information that I knew. A few weeks later, I received copies of Census Records. These records showed that my great-grandmother, Dora Craig Merrill was seen on the 1900 United States Census of Cherokee County as mother of two, none living. On the 1905 Kansas Census, she is shown as mother of three, one living - there's granddad! On the 1910 United States Census they were found in Woodson County, Kansas, Yates Center Township, three children - there's Claude and Clyde!

After writing to the Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center searching for copies of funeral records, I was given the address of a nice lady in Yates Center. I sent her a note in the mail, and she happened to know a Donna Merrill Nickel who might be related. This angel (Donna) went to the gravesites referenced on funeral records of William and Dora, to find next to them two other graves. Phonie Merrill, aged 13 days, and Frank J. Merrill, June 1899 After many years, a picture came back to life, and the little known note became another piece of family history solved. I've later found that Donna is not related to my line of Merrills, but she went the extra mile to help to fit together more pieces of the puzzle.

On the grave of Phonie Merrill is the inscription: "Phonie, budded on earth to bloom in heaven." Such sad words, comforting words to a young couple who lost their first child, not knowing that their own son would lose his first child -- Different generations, same grief.

Through many letters, Census research, Civil War Pension Applications, Marriage Records, Civil War Muster Rolls, and numerous genealogical societies, I have been able to piece my part of the Merrill family together. Unfortunately, I have not been able to link up with the Merrills of Suffolk County so vividly spoken of in A Merrill Memorial, by Samuel Merrill.

Below is a copy of my descendant tree as researched and hope that others reading this article might be able to help me further -- but even more, that I may find other family members in pursuit of the same avocation.

Descendants of James Merrill

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES1 MERRILL1,2 was born Abt. 1818 in Saint Lawrence County, New York State3, and died Bef. 1870. He married MARY STARLIN4,5 October 29, 1835 in Hamilton County Ohio6. She was born 1818 in Ohio7.

Notes for JAMES MERRILL:

James Merrill and his family found on the 1850 and 1860 Census, Hamilton County Ohio, Harrison Township. Jame's occupation is recorded as Carpenter with birth state of New York.

Also enumerated with the James Merrill Family in 1850 is Lydia Starlin aged 14 years. It is assumed that Lydia is related to Mary, due to Mary's maiden name being Starlin.

Records received from the National Archives Trust Fund in Washington D.C. indicate:

Enlisted September 4th, 1862 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County Ohio, Occupation Carpenter by Lt L. G. Brown, aged 44 years.

Company Muster Rolls indicate that he was present; however, he is shown as 'deserted at Nashville, Tenn, Feb 23, 1863. May of 1863 Muster Rolls show him present. From June of 1863 to February he is shown as absent an in hospital at Gallatin, Tennessee. In February 1864, he is moved to Louisville, Kentucky (Organization was formed from convalescent soldiers of various organizations under G. O. No 1, Headquarters Louisville Barracks, Kentucky, upon obtaining better health they could be returned to active service in their regiments.) In March, 1865 he is absent, sick at Camp Dennison, Ohio.

Army of the United States - Certificate of Disability for Discharge; Private James Merrill, of Captain Lewis G. Brown Company E of the 11th Ohio Regiment of the United States Infantry was enlisted by Captain Brown at Cincinnati, Ohio on the 4th day of September, 1861 to serve 3 years; he was born in St Lawrence County, in the State of New York, is 47 years of age, 5 feet 10 1/2 inches high, light complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and by occupation enlisted as a ________. ; Station Louisville, Kentucky, May 29, 1865. Statement by Otis Hoyt, Post Surgeon: I certify, that I have carefully examined the said James Merrill, a private of Company # and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of an accidental puncture of the sternum by a heavy box of medical supplies falling upon him while in the line of his duty and service of the United States at Carthage Tennessee, June 1864. Also infirmities of age and general acuteness. He is over half disabled and his physical condition is not suitable for the enlistment in the veterans reserve corps.

Discharged the 5th day of June 1865, Barracks No. 1, Louisville, Kentucky. The soldier desires to be addressed at Town: Harrison, County: Hamilton; State: Ohio.

James Merrill is not found on the 1870 Census of Ohio or in Iowa where his wife is living, with their children.

Notes for MARY STARLIN:

On the 1860 Hamilton County Ohio, Harrison Township Census, Mary is shown as having an occupation of weaver.

Found on the United States Census 1870 Census in Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska Couty, Iowa. 8/4/1870 - 338-Line 11(aged 52), no reference to husband James. Living with her at this time are James, 24, day laborer; William, 20, working on farm; Mary Margaret, 18, at home. Living close by is Michael Starlin aged 50, born in Ohio with his family, Eunice,51; Priscilla, 20; Carlton, 18. (It is assumed that Michael Starlin is Mary's brother).

Found on the United States Census 1900 Osborne County, Kansas, ED 108, Sheet 6a Line 31. Mary is shown to be 82 years old having been born in Ohio and is a widow, not working. Living with her at this time is her son, James (not married.) Found on Old Baptist Cemetery Records, Harrison Township, Hamilton County Ohio.

Children of JAMES MERRILL and MARY STARLIN are:

 

Generation No. 2

 

2. ISRAEL2 MERRILL (JAMES1)14,15 was born March 15, 1843 in Harrison Township Ohio, and died February 06, 1907 in Gridley, Kansas16. He married SARAH E. BIBEE17 April 11, 1867 in Vermillion, Edgar County, Illinois18,19. She was born November 24, 1844 in, Tennessee, and died February 22, 1910 in Gridley, Kansas20.

Notes for ISRAEL MERRILL:

Also enumerated with Israel Merrill's Family in 1880 is a man named John Mortimer who shows as a boarder also working on the Railroad in Neosho Falls City, Kansas. 1880 Census also shows the spelling of the last name to be Meril -- However this could be an error on the part of enumerator. Both his mother and father are shown to be born in Ohio.

Served in the I Company 5th Cav Reg. of Ohio. Enlisted 23 August 1864, Mustered out at Raleigh, North Carolina June 26, 1865. Aged 20 years at enlistment as a private. Served under the command of 1st Lt Elwood T. Niles.

Civil War records indicate this regiment fought in the following Civil War Battles (only listing those in which Israel was enlisted): Marietta, GA October 1864; Allatoona, GA October 1864; Sandersville, GA, Nov 1864; Buck Head Creek, GA Nov 1864; Lancaster, South Carolina March 1865; Fayetteville, NC March 1865; Monroes Cross, Soloman's Grove, Faison's Depot, Duram Station March/April 1865.

Volunteer Enlistment on 23rd day of August 1864 at Cincinnati, Ohio, 5th Regiment Ohio Cavalry, recruited from Harrison Township Hamilton County 2nd District of Ohio. Enlistment form states that Israel had grey eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and 5 feet 8-1/2 inches tall.

Ohio 5th Cavalry Descriptive Book aged 20 years and occupation as a laborer 8/23/1864 under the command of Captain Roberts. At the time of enlistment he was issued one haversack and 1 canteen.

Detachment Muster-Out Roll June 26, 1865 bounty paid $33.33. Remarks:"Mustered out per G.O. No. 83. 1 pair of spurs and straps @ .52c, 1 horsebrush @ .75c. Agreed to pay back $1.27.

According to "In The Beginnings" of Woodson County, Israel Merrill and his family were part of the founding families of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. In later years, his sons Will and Dan and their families were prominent members of this church founded in 1896.

In an application # 743842 to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, dated Feb 21, 1890, Israel Merrill states that he enlisted on August 23, 1864 and served as private in Company I5 of the Regiment of the Ohio Cavalry, and was discharged at Raleigh, North Carolina on June 26, 1865. "It is also alleged that while on due at Savannah Georgia on or about the Winter of 1864/5 he was disabled by catarrh disease of the respiratory organs, diarrhea, disease of the liver and stomach, treated by a surgeon." A response to this filing indicates that Israel did, indeed, serve in Company I 5th Regiment of the Ohio Cavalry, enrolled on August 23, 1864 and mustered out on June 28, 1865.

During that period the rolls show him present except on April 30, 1865 he was absent from duty, as Pioneer 3 Brig, 3rd Cav. Div. Other records furnish nothing additional bearing upon this case. There were no medical records found which show him being treated.

Found in THE GRIDLEY STAR, February 14, 1907:

We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Israel Merrill who died Wednesday night February 6, of heart failure, aged 63 years. He leaves a wife and five sons to mourn his loss. He was laid to rest in the Gridley Cemetery. The bereaved have the sympathy of all.

Coffey County Register of Deaths:

February 1907, P 43 Line 10; Israel was a Farmer at the time of death. Cause of death is recorded as Paralysis. D.W. Sanders Medical Doctor reporting the death.

More About ISRAEL MERRILL:

Burial: 1907, Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, KS21

Military service: Bet. 1864 - 1865, 5th Ohio Cavalry22

Occupation: Worked on Railroad Neosho Falls City, Woodson County, KS23

Notes for SARAH E. BIBEE:

Application for Civil War Widows Pension # 743842 Dec 14, 1889; # 865441 Nov 16, 1907;

Inscription on Headstone, Gridley, Kansas: "Gone but not forgotten."

Coffey County Register of Deaths: S.E. Merrill, died of Paralysis. Death reported by M.L. Stockton from Gridley, KS

More About SARAH E. BIBEE:

Burial: 1910, Gridley Cemetery, Gridley, KS

Occupation: 1880, Keeping House, Neosho Falls City, Woodson County Kansas23

Marriage Notes for ISRAEL MERRILL and SARAH BIBEE:

In Sarah's Widow's Pension Application she states that her marriage took place in Vermillion, Illinois. The service was performing by R. Holding, a Minister of the Gospel. This affidavit is signed by Dan Merrill and Maud Merrill, as well as Sarah. Address of record on this date. Vernon Rte 1, Woodson County, Kansas.

Children of ISRAEL MERRILL and SARAH BIBEE are:

Generation No. 3

More About WALTER MERRILL:
Military service: 1918, World War 1 Veteran
    ii. CHESTER MERRILL52, b. Abt. 1902.

 

 

Generation No. 4

Chocolate Cake: Margaret Carriveau Merrill

Reference Sources: