Newton Co., IN Biography Newton County, Washington Township. From A History of Warren, Benton, Jasper & Newton Counties, 1883. ORMANDO P. MERRIFIELD, son of Nathan and Abigail (Cushing) Merrifield was born in Vermont, November 30, 1835. He attended shcool, and later the Academy, where he acquired a good education. When not at his studies, he assisted his father on the farm. At the age of eighteen, he went to learn the trade of cabinetmaking. After serving his time, he went to Minnesota, where he employed himself at carpentering and farming. On February 16, 1860, he married Philena Stevens, who died in 1863. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Minnesota Infantry. After some hard service in Dakota Territory among the hostile red men, the regiment was ordered south, and he with his regiment participated in the struggle at Murfreesboro. There he received his discharge from the service on May 23, 1865. After a visit to the home of his boyhood, he returned to his Minnesota farm, at Roscoe, Goodhue County. On November 29, 1866, he married his second wife, Helen R. Dickson, daughter of Fergus S. and Harriet (Nash) Dickson. His wife was born in Cook County, Illinois, March 22, 1846. She was highly accomplished and educated, having commenced to teach at the age of sixteen, and using the money she earned at this profession in acquiring a higher education. She was a student at the University, then located in Goodhue County, Minnesota, which she left, within one year of graduation, to resume the duties of a teacher. Her husband, the subject of this sketch, purchased, in 1875, eighty acres of land in Section 1, Washington Township, Newton County, Indiana, whither he removed with his family. It was then wild prairie land with very little, if any, improvements. He now has a good farm and a fine dwelling-house. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican. While a resident of Minnesota he was elected a Justice of Peace. His wife has borne him four children -- Maude A., Harry E., Hugh D. and Earl P. Mr. Merrifield and family are highly esteemed by all who know them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted By Gerald Born Email - Wizzofozl0@aol.com