Biography of Richmond P. Merrill, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: V Richardson Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** The subject of this sketch was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, but as his birthday falls of February 29th, his birthdays have been few and far between, and it was not until the 29th of February 1920 that he had reached his 23rd birthday. He came to Bowie County in 1855, where he has since resided, except for four years in California, where in Porterville, Cal. in August 1872, he married Miss Emily C. Coughran, deceased. To better equip himself for his lifes work, teaching - he attended the McKenzie Institute, Clarksville, Texas, and for thirty five years taught in the schools of Bowie County, his first school having been taught at Chalybeate Springs in 1898. He was the thirteenth and last child of his parents - Timothy and Elizabeth (Bradshaw) Merrill, and the last one living. Mr. Merrill and wife had four living children, J. E. Merrill, in San Francisco, California; W. H. Merrill, Corley, Texas; Mrs. Etta McVeety, Texarkana, Texas; and Marvin S. Merrill, Maud, Texas. His grandfather and six brothers served in the Continental Army during the revolutionary War, and all of them lived to return to their homes. Father time has dealt very kindly with Mr. Merrill, and though the passing years have left their scars, he is still hale and hearty, and his many friends are hopeful that he may be spared to celebrate more happy birthdays. His residence is at Maud, Texas, with his son, M. E. Merrill, nominee for District Court Clerk.