Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Merrill, Joseph Henry 1827 - 1911
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 3, 2013, 7:35 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

JOSEPH HENRY MERRILL.

Few seemingly care to cultivate the qualities of leadership. They are not
willing to enter upon the self-sacrificing effort which brings the individual to
the forefront in any field of labor in which he may choose to engage. The great
majority of people are content to remain in the stations into which they are
born or are willing to follow the paths which others have made easy.
Occasionally here and there, however, are found those men whose initiative
spirit carries them far beyond the common-place to the goal of success.

Such a one was Joseph Henry Merrill, founder and promoter of one of the most
important commercial enterprises of Ottumwa —the extensive wholesale business
which bears his name. He was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of
December, 1827. One of his brothers and the brother's seven sons were in the
southern army and none of the number ever suffered even a scratch, although
frequently in the thickest of the fight. When a young man, in his twenty-second
year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849,
traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at
Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the
Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to
Boston. Throughout practically his entire business life he was engaged in the
wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year
removed to the middle west. He was employed for one or two years in Peoria,
Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Company at Mount Pleasant at the time of the birth of his son Herman. Leaving
that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ottumwa in
connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he continued until 1861. During the
period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of
hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued
until July, 1901. He then withdrew and in connection with his son Herman opened
an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into
a colossal wholesale grocery business, recognized as one of the most important
commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state.
Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely
known in financial connections as president of the Iowa National Bank and as
president of the City Savings Bank. He early became familiar with the fact that
success tauntingly plays before the dreamer but yields its prizes to the man of
persistent, earnest effort, whose activities are guided by honorable purpose. It
was along such lines that he advanced until he reached the position of
leadership accorded him.

In early manhood Mr. Merrill was united in marriage to Miss Garaphelia Burnham,
who was born in Bradford, Vermont, September 13, 1831, and who reached the age
of eighty-one years when called to her final rest. In their family were five
children. One son, Denison Burnham, left at his death a widow and one son,
Charles Greenleaf. The surviving member of the family is Herman W. Merrill, his
father's successor in business at Ottumwa. The death of Mr. Merrill occurred in
1911, while his wife passed away in 1912. He did much to mold public thought and
action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship
and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his
re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty
during his first term. In every relation of life in which he was active his
influence was felt as a factor for good and for progress.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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