Will County IL Archives Biographies.....De Meritt, Charles 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 3:08 am

Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907

Charles De Meritt is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
situated near the village of Plainfield, on section 9, Plainfield township. He 
now rents his land, while he is practically living retired, merely giving 
supervision to his farming operations, although he still retains his residence 
on his farm property. He is a native son of Will county, born in Channahon 
township, in January, 1840. His parents were Harry and Emily S. (Knapp) De 
Meritt, the latter a sister of Dr. Knapp, of Channahon township and a 
representative of one of the pioneer families of Will county, for the Knapps 
located here as early as 1834. Harry De Meritt located in Will county about 
1835, at which time he settled in Channahon township, where he purchased land 
from the government. Some years later he removed to Wisconsin, where his death 
occurred many years ago. His widow afterward married Myron Pierson, while for 
her third husband she married Lyman Foster, who was likewise one of the 
earliest settlers of Plainfield. The mother has also passed away, her death 
occurring about five years ago, when she had reached the age of eighty-four 
years. Charles De Meritt is one of a family of four children born of his 
father's marriage and is the only one now living, but he has a half-sister, 
Mrs. Daly, who resides in Aurora, Illinois. Mr. De Meritt was brought to 
Plainfield by his mother when a little lad of seven years. He was here reared 
and educated, and at the age of twenty-four years engaged in farming pursuits, 
in which he met with very gratifying success. He is today the owner of a 
valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres lying near the 
village of Plainfield, so that while enjoying the quiet and comforts of a 
rural existence he also has the advantages and conveniences afforded by the 
village. He is now leasing his land, but he still retains his residence on the 
farm, giving personal supervision to his business interests. Mr. De Meritt was 
married at Plainfield to Miss Elizabeth Mottinger, who was brought from Ohio, 
her native state, to Will county when a little maiden of three years, so that 
she was practically reared in this state. She is an estimable lady, possessing 
a kindly disposition and cordial manner, and celebrated the sixty-first 
anniversary of her birth in January, 1907. Her father, George Mottinger, 
passed away some twenty years ago. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. De Meritt has 
been blessed with three sons: Charles, Jr., a resident farmer of Plainfield 
township, who is married and has three children; William A., who is married 
and resides with his father; and Ralph H., a farmer of Plainfield township, 
who is married and has two sons. Mr. De Meritt is independent in his political 
views, but leans toward democracy. He, however, supports men and measures 
rather than party. His second son votes with the democratic party, while the 
eldest and the youngest sons adhere to republican principles. Mr. De Meritt 
was through a long period identified with agricultural interests and the rest 
which he is now enjoying is well merited, for it has come to him as the direct 
result of his own labors, his close application and his careful business 
management.

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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