Jesse Merrill was born 15 March 1825 in Wayne or Somerton Township in Belmont County, Ohio, the fifth child of Richard and Hannah (Perkins) Merrill. When he was twelve years old, his mother died. His father remarried and subsequently moved to Monroe County, then to Noble County, Ohio. Jesse moved to Wapello County, Iowa, by 1848, where he worked as a carpenter. On 10 July 1851 in Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, he married Harriet E. Henderson, daughter of William S. and Sarah A. (Miller) Henderson. Jesse and Harriet were faithful members of the Church of Christ from 1853. They were the parents of eight children, Leroy born in 1853 in Ohio, died before 1870, Delora born in June,1855, in Iowa. The remaining children were born near Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska: William Henry born 20 December 1858, Sarah Ann, born in September, 1862, John R. born in September, 1863, Jessie (Jane), born in November, 1867, and Hattie born in January, 1873. Another child was born to this family, probably about 1870, but died young, according to the obituary of Harriet Merrill.
About 1857, the family moved to Nebraska City, Otoe County, Nebraska Territory, where Jesse was a farmer. Unlike most men of his age, Jesse did not serve in the War of the Rebellion, which was from 1861 to 1865. The family apparently moved back to Iowa after the birth of their youngest child in 1873. (1885 KS census) In 1876, they moved to Ellsworth County, Kansas, where Jesse homesteaded about four miles east of Fort Harker (now Kanopolis) in Empire Township. In 1898 the township name was changed to Clear Creek Township. A log cabin was built on the homestead at some point in time. Jesse's grandson, Kenneth A. Merrill, remembered that his family lived in this cabin at the time his father, William H. Merrill, built a new house on the property, about 1910. Later it was used for storage, and today a corner of the cabin is on display in the Livery which is a part of the Hodgden House museum complex managed by the Ellsworth County Historical Society in Ellsworth. Jesse "proved up" the land by building a stone house 14 feet by 20 feet, with a frame addition 10 feet by 20 feet. He also built a frame barn, a stone stable 18 feet by 22 feet, strung one and one half miles of wire fence, one half mile of hedge fence, a corral, hand dug a well and walled it up, built a granary, and a corn crib. He also planted a fruit orchard, built a fish pond, and raised crops of corn and wheat.
The military road from Fort Riley to Fort Zarah (near Great Bend), to Fort Larned on the Santa Fe Trail was established in the early 1860's. Fort Ellsworth was established near the present-day town of Kanopolis as a post to guard the crossing of this road at the Smoky Hill River. Because of flooding, the post was closed in 1866. It was replaced by Fort Harker which was built on higher ground. The Butterfield Overland Despatch freight and stage line followed the same route through eastern Ellsworth County as the military road. The Kansas Pacific Railway, now Union Pacific, was laid through Ellsworth County in 1867. These major transportation routes all crossed the land that Jesse Merrill chose to homestead. The ruts made by the wagons are still visible today on the farmland.
On March 4, 1879, Jesse filed for homestead with the Salina Land Office. His claim for homestead was published in the Ellsworth Reporter on January 27, 1886, with A. M. Farris, W. H. H. Farris, W. S. Farris, and W. H. Merrill, all of Carneiro, as his witnesses. Other Affidavits filed supporting his claim were signed by Abraham Bennett and Horace Sibley, both of Ellsworth. The Patent for this homestead was signed by Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, on the seventh of February, 1888, and on 8 December 1888, it was filed in the Land Records of Ellsworth County, Kansas. The land is legally described as follows:
The SouthEast Quarter of Section No. 22, in Township No. 15 South, of the Range No. 7 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, Ellsworth County, Kansas, consisting of 160 acres, or S.E. 1/4 of Sec. 22, Twp. 15, Range. 7
In addition to being a farmer, Jesse made musical instruments. A photograph of him taken in 1897 shows him with four of the musical instruments he made, a child's piano, a hammered dulcimer, a violin, and a guitar. (Photo at top.) Inside the violin is written, "Jesse Merrill, Maker/for son Will/August 23rd, 1884/Kanopolis, Kansas". Inside the guitar is written, "Kanopolis, Kans./December 2nd, 1890/Maker, Jesse Merrill/I am 65 years old". Jesse received a U. S. Patent, No. 582,537, on May 11, 1897, for a dulcimer of his own design. This must have been a musical family. Jesse's daughter, Jessie (Merrill) Sampson played the organ, and his son, William, played the fiddle and later had a family band that played for special occasions in the community.
Jesse Merrill died 10 May 1902 at the home of his son, William H. Merrill, on Clear Creek in Ellsworth County, Kansas. His obituary reads in part, "He was quite a genius in mechanical art, and had made a number of instruments of music, some of which are patented." He was buried in the Kanopolis Cemetery. Harriet E. Merrill died 2 April 1905 at the home of her son, Will, on Clear Creek. She was buried beside her husband in the Kanopolis Cemetery.
CHILDREN OF JESSE AND HARRIET (HENDERSON) MERRILL
Delora Merrill moved to Nebraska with her parents about 1857. Her grandfather, William S. Henderson, died in 1873, the same year her youngest sister was born in Nebraska, and it appears the family moved back to Centerville, Iowa, for a short time. Delora married about 1874, probably in Iowa, James L. Lewis, an attorney. He was born in September, 1849, in Ohio, of Ohio-born parents. They had one son, Jesse W. Lewis, who was born in January, 1875, in Iowa. Whether Delora and her family moved to Kansas with her parents in 1876 is not known. This family later moved to Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, where they appear on the 1900 census. Delora operated a boarding house there. Delora's sister, Hattie (Merrill) Pierce (sp?), and her daughter, Ethel, were living with the Lewis family at that time. Later, James and Delora moved to Des Moines, Iowa.
Jesse W. Lewis married about 1899 Myrtle, who was born in April, 1878, in Iowa of Iowa-born parents. Jesse Lewis sent a postcard containing a picture of himself to his Uncle Will Merrill, postmarked in Mulberry, Kansas. Mulberry is in Bourbon County, near Ft. Scott. The date is not known.. The message reads as follows: "Dear Uncle, I will mail you one of my pictures maybe you can see some likeness. Father and Mother are well, and live in D. M. (Des Moines, IA?) How is all of your folks. I wish I knew Hattie & Jessie address. /s/ Jessy L."
William Henry Merrill moved with his family to Ft. Harker, Kansas, where on 20 May 1885, he married Nancy Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jackson, who was born in Allen County, Ohio. She was a daughter of Kanaday and Rachel Anna (Merrill) Jackson. They had seven children, Robert in 1887, died in infancy, Iva B., born in 1889, Emil Leo, born in 1892, Harvey Elden born in 1895, Lindon Douglas born in 1899, Kenneth A., born in 1904, and Odessa P., born in 1907. Will and Lizzie lived on their farm all their married lives. He died 20 June 1932 and is buried in the Kanopolis Cemetery, Kanopolis, Kansas. Lizzie died 22 March 1952 at Fort Dodge Old Soldiers' Home, Dodge City, Kansas, and is buried beside her husband.
Sarah Ann married Smith B. Crane, a farmer, on 23 July 1881 in Ellsworth, Kansas.. He was born in December, 1861, in Ohio, son of Smith and Francis Crane, both born in Ohio. Smith Crane was landlord of the $30,000, three-story, brick, St. Charles Hotel in Kanopolis in 1890. Miscellaneous articles from The Kanopolis Journal report that Smith B. Crane was a farmer, a drayman who transferred passengers from the railroad station, was an agent for a sewing machine company, and was appointed postmaster at Kanopolis, (30 March 1889) On 14 April 1889, it is reported that he and Wm. Merrill were going to travel the next week to Port Townsend, Territory of Washington, with the expectation of locating there if that country is as represented. On 6 July 1889 it was reported, "S. B. Crane and William Merrill, who went to Washington Territory last spring, will return the first of next month." And on 27 July 1889: "Crane and Merrill returned from Washington Territory, they are well satisfied with Kansas" Smith B. Crane was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows, served as Kanopolis City Marshal and as Ordinance Sergeant for Seigle Camp No. 51 of the S.O.V. (Sons of Veterans), indicating that his father had been a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. His father was an officer of the G. A. R. in Kanopolis. (Grand Army of the Republic) The children of Smith B. and Sarah A. Crane, all probably born in Kanopolis, Kansas, were Lawrence B., born in September, 1883, Samuel J., born in November, 1885, Francis E.,, born in December, 1887, Edward Leroy, born 2 September 1890, Myrtle M., born in January, 1893, and Helen :L., born in September, 1896. The family moved to Johnson County, Kansas, by 1900, and to Franklin Township, Bourbon County, Kansas, by 1910. A family picture taken about 1920 shows Sarah (Merrill) Crane, her husband, Smith B. Crane, his mother, Francis Crane, and six young people, three boys and three girls, one of whom is identified as Lewis Sampson, oldest son of Sarah's sister, Jessie (Merrill) Sampson. It appears to be a wedding picture, but taken in an outdoor setting.
Lawrence B. Crane married Ida Jones and lived in Joplin, Missouri. He died there before 1950.
Samuel J. Crane moved to Hemet, California.
Francis E. Crane married Mr. McDonough and moved to Kansas City.
Edward Leroy Crane married Alice Elnora Jones on 5 July 1911, at Ft. Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas. Their children were Christina, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Helen, Dorothy, Jesse Belmont, Nancy, and Sarah.
Helen L. Crane married William Wagner and moved to Tacoma, Washington
John R. Merrill married 14 January 1886 in Ottawa County, Kansas, Viola Edwards, who was born in September, 1867, in Missouri, of Indiana-born parents. Two photos taken at Avenarius Studios in Ellsworth, Kansas, about 1886, one of Viola and one of John and Viola, indicate that the Edwards family lived near the Merrill family in Empire Township. John R. and Viola Merrill had two children born in Kansas, Ana born in January, 1886, and Leroy F. born in March 1889. About 1890 the family moved to Seattle, Washington. There, two known children were born, Dora B. born in October 1891, and Grant W. born in January 1896.. John worked as a shipping clerk for the Great Northern Railroad. Viola ran a boarding house at the University of Washington. By 1920, John and Viola had divorced, and she had married Peter Hanson. Peter was born about 1874 in Wisconsin of Norwegian parents. Peter worked as a coater in a blueprint shop. Dora and Grant were living with their mother, and John R. Merrill was living with their son, Leroy F. and his family. The 1930 Seattle Directory lists a J. R. Merrill and a John R. Merrill residing at 621 Jackson Street. John R. Merrill's occupation is listed as a checker for the Great Northern Railway Company. John R. Merrill apparently died between 1932 and 1934 in Seattle. Peter Hanson apparently died between 1930 and 1938 in Seattle. Viola A. Hanson is listed on the 1938 Seattle City Directory, which indicates that she passed away after that time..
Leroy F. Merrill married about 1913 Helen B., who was born about 1892 in Ohio. Their daughter, Viola C., was born about 1914 in Hawaii. In 1920 they lived in Seattle, Washington, where he worked as an engineer inspector for the Government. Leroy apparently died between 1920 and 1930 in Seattle.
Dora B. Merrill married about 1918 Earl L. Ackor/Anchor, who was born about 1887 in Ohio. In 1920 they lived in Seattle, Washington, where Earl worked as an assistant manager in a blueprint shop.. Earl L. Achor/Anchor is not listed on the Seattle City Director for 1938, but Dora B. Achor was living at 4527 - 18th Ave. NE. Her occupation was listed as telegraph operator for Bon Marche.
Grant Merrill was known by Mark Sampson, a cousin, to be a radio broadcaster in Seattle. In 1920 Grant lived with his mother, Viola, her second husband, and his sister and her husband. He was a student and worked as a musician in an orchestra. The 1930 Seattle Directory lists a Grant W. Merrill residing at 4527 - 18th Ave. NE, occupation continuity, NW Broadcasting System, Inc. The 1934 Directory lists a Grant W. Merrill at the same address, occupation continuity writer, Totem Broadcasters.
Jessie P. Merrill married on 10 January 1885 at the home of Squire and Mrs. J. T. Noble in Ellsworth, Kansas, John C. Sampson.. He was born at Waterloo, Iowa, a son of Lewis and Mary Ann Sampson. John was a stonemason and carpenter. John played the violin and Jessie played the organ. They played for barn dances in the country. They were members of the Free Methodist Church. John and Jessie Sampson had nine children, all born near Kanopolis, Kansas, Lewis born in January 1886, a son, M. A., born and died in 1887, Leona born in 1889, died in 1893, Carl born in April 1892, Esther born in November 1893, Paul born 27 December1896, Olive Mildred born 20 June 1900, died 20 May 1904, Marcus Theodore born 10 February 1904, and John born in 1908. M. A., Leona, and Olive Mildred are buried in the Buckeye Cemetery near Kanopolis in Ellsworth County, Kansas. John and Jessie Sampson moved back to Iowa in the spring of 1893, and returned to Kanopolis in March, 1896. In April, 1897, John was elected to the Kanopolis City Council. In December, 1904, John sold his real estate interests in Kanopolis and shortly thereafter, moved from Kanopolis to Liberal, Kansas. In 1910, the family appears on the census, which shows John managing a boarding house there. They must have moved back to the Carneiro area shortly after the census was taken, as John Sampson plastered the walls of the house built by William H. Merrill about that time on the Merrill homestead. They moved about 1911 to West Plains, Missouri, where John's brother lived. About 1915 hey moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they lived for about four years. Carl and Paul both served in the U. S. Navy, possibly during World War I, and convinced their parents to relocate to Washington state. Jessie died about 1942 and is buried in Bow, Skaget County, Washington. John died about 1943 and is buried at Marysville, Washington.
Lewis Sampson worked for the railroad (picture), and lived in Bourbon County, Kansas, and Wyoming, Iowa. His first wife's name was Della, but he married three more times. He had a son named George. He died at Wyoming, Iowa, and is buried there.
Carl Sampson served in the U. S. Navy. He married, but had no children. He died after 1960 and is buried at Tacoma, Washington.
Esther Sampson married Russell Meyer about 1930 and lived in Washington state. They had no children. After Russell's death, she remarried.. She died after 1960, and is buried there.
Paul Sampson served in the U. S. Navy. He died 22 January 1972 and is buried at Marysville, Washington.
Mark Sampson lived in Washington and worked as a contractor. He married Patricia Ackerman on 9 March 1935 in Washington. They were the parents of two children, Darrell born 1 June 1936 and Donald born 26 June 1938. Mark visited the site of his childhood in Ellsworth, Kansas, in May, 1996, with his son, Don. Mark died at Marysville, Washington, on October 4, 1997, and is buried in Cypress Lawn Cemetery, South Everett, Washington. Patricia died in 1999 and is buried beside him.
Darrell Sampson had a son, Todd, born August 26, 1968.
Donald Sampson married and had four children, triplets Chris, Curt and Craig, born April 13, 1960, and Corrie born September 21, 1965.
John Sampson married but had no children. He lived at Tacoma, Washington, and died after 1960.
Hattie (a nickname for Harriet) Merrill married about 1893 a man named Pierce, who was born in Kansas. They had a daughter, Ethel, born in January 1894 in Kansas. There is a picture that belonged to Will and Lizzie Merrill of a Pierce family, who apparently used to live in Ellsworth County, Kansas. Hattie and her daughter, Ethel, lived with her older sister and family in Kansas City in 1900. Her daughter, Ethel, later worked for a traveling circus company. Lila Merrill remembered that William H. Merrill wanted to go to Salina to see the circus because his niece was working with the circus, possibly as an office worker. This probably would have been in the 1920's. Nothing further is known about this family.
