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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of William H. MERRILL 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Joan Achille and Alice Stipak. 

[Surnames: CHAPMAN, HAFNER, HORN, JOHNSON, KARNES, LOWE, MARSHALL, McCLUNG, McLAREN, MERRILL, MOORE, SHELLY, SMITH, WEAVER] 

[starting on page 993] 

    
MERRILL, William H.--among the pioneer residents of Fulton County, Ill., the record of none gives evidence of a more upright, honorable and useful life than that of William H. Merrill, who still own and occupies the farm in Woodland Township where he was born, October 11, 1841. His father, Stephen Merrill, was one of the most vigorous, energetic and influential characters who figured in the early annals of that region. His mother, a most worthy helpmate for such a man, was Elizabeth (Marshall) Merrill, whose family history is portrayed in the sketch of the life of Stewart Marshall, which appears elsewhere in these pages. Stephen Merrill was born in the State of Maine in 1798. He remained in his native place until about the year 1834, when he made his way to Illinois and settled in the wilderness where now stretches out the fertile and productive acreage of the subject of this sketch. He took this land on a squatter's claim, just as the Indians had left it, and a patent was afterwards issued to him by the Government. On a portion of the tract stood a small cabin. He subsequently erected a snug hewed-log dwelling, 18 by 24 feet in dimensions, in which all his children were born. He and his wife were the parents of one son and seven daughters, who grew to maturity, five of whom are living. The members of this family were: Hannah, who married Lester Husted, of Greencastle, Mo., a retired farmer who moved from Illinois to that State in 1866; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Smith, of Montana, and left one child, who still survives; Isabel, wife of John Moore, of Butte, Mont.; William H.; Margaret, who died at the age of nineteen years; Angeline, who is the widow of Henry Shelly, and resides in Woodland Township, Fulton County; Elizabeth, wife of W. B. McLaren, who lives in Galien, Mich., and Lydia, who resides in the vicinity of Plymouth, Ill., the wife of O. O. Weaver. Another child died in infancy . The father of this family was a very enterprising and progressive man. In early life he was a sailor and spent fifteen years in that occupation. On settling in Fulton County he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, developing a highly cultivated farm and establishing an attractive and hospitable home. In the wonderful transformation which took place in the general conditions of the county during the fifty-four years of his residence in it he bore an active, conspicuous and creditable part. Public-spirited in a marked degree, he was chosen to fill several positions of official trust, in which he amply justified the popular confidence reposed in his ability and fidelity. In politics he was originally a Whig, but on the formation of the Republican party allied himself with that organization and remained steadfast in his adherence to its principles to the end of his life. He held the office of Justice of the Peace and was the first Assessor elected in Woodland Township. For many years he was a devout member of the United Brethren Church. In 1835 he was married to Elizabeth Marshall, a woman of noble qualities, who faithfully and devotedly shared the arduous labors of their pioneer experience. Stephen Merrill died in 1890, at age ninety-two, his wife passing away in 1894, at eighty-six years of age. 
    
William H. Merrill, as before stated, was born on the paternal farm in 1841 and spent his boyhood and early youth in assisting in the [Page 994] farming operations, meanwhile attending the district school. On this spot he has spent his entire life, worthily upholding the traditions of an honored parentage, and becoming one of the most prominent, substantial and highly respected members of the community in which his busy and useful career has been passed. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Fulton County and has always been closely identified with its material, moral and intellectual development. In all public enterprises and institutions he has taken an active and intelligent interest. His farm is one of the most thoroughly cultivated and finely improved in the county, and his home is commodious and attractive. On the farm he maintains a good grade of all kinds of stock. 
    
On October 11, 1864, Mr. Merrill was united in marriage with Mary E. McClung, who was born in Augusta County, Va. May 22, 1842, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Hafner) McClung, natives of Virginia. Her parents settled in Fulton County in 1854, locating in Woodland Township, but both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have had six children, namely: Walter, who is engaged in farming in Woodland Township; Maggie, wife of A. F. Karnes, of Fridley, Mont.; Oliver, in charge of the old homestead; Ira, who died in infancy; Mittie, wife of James T. Chapman, a locomotive engineer, and Eva, wife of I. C. Johnson, a farmer of Woodland Township. Oliver married Maggie Lowe, and Walter is the husband of Sadie Horn. 
    
Although never an aspirant for public office, Mr. Merrill has always been an unswerving supporter of the Republican party. His first ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has voted for every Republican President of the United States since that time. For more than forty years Mr. Merrill and his wife have been consistent members of the United Brethren Church, and have always been earnest and diligent in evangelical work. Both are regarded with the utmost respect by their old-time neighbors and associates, and both enjoy the confidence and warm regard of a numerous acquaintance.