Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-31
CAPT. JOHN F. MERRY
ANSWERS SUMMONS
USEFUL EARTHLY CAREER
CLOSES PEACEFULLY--FUNER.
AL FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
IN SERVICE OF l. c. FOR 81 YEARS

Was Farmer, Merchant Soldier and
Railroad Official Held Many Posi-
tiOns of Trust and Honor.
Capt. John F. Merry passed peace
fully away at his home in this city
Tuesday evening, January 30th, 1917,
after many weeks of illness, which
was due to a gradual physical decline:
Funeral services will be held at
the home on Franklin and Union
streets Friday afternoon lat two
o'clock. Rev. C. X. Hudson, pastor of
the Methodist Episcopal church, will
preach the sermon.
The remains will be placed in the
receiving vault and in the spring will
be laid to rest in the family lot in Oak
land cemetery.
Mr.. Merry is survived by his wife,
and one sister, Mrs. C. H. Cruise of
Earlville and one brother, H. ]. Merry,
of Hartley, Iowa, besides number of
nephews and neices, and host of in
innate friends.
John F. Merry, was born in PENN
sula, Summit County, Ohio, March
24th, 1914, son Of Horace c, and
PAMELA (Trowbridge) Merry. The
father, born at Phelps, Ontario Coun-
ty. New York, on the 18th of July,
1914, was an early settler of the West
erns Reserve of Ohio. residing in Sum
NIT, Portage, Geauga, and Cuyahoga
Counties. He came to Iowa from
Geauga County in 1856, settling first
In Elk Township. Delaware County,
where he purchased a farm and made.
his home until 1866. In that year he
removed to Oneida township and dur
ing the remainder of his life resided
near Earlville, passing away on the
18th day of January 1882. He gave
his political allegiance to the republi-
can party and for seven years served
as justice of the peace in Elk toWn-
ship, while he also held the Office Of
school director for a similar period
and for three years acted as assessor
in Oneida township. He was Presby-
terian in religious belief and a man Of
strong character and high integrity
On the 21st Of February, 1888. at Sol
on Ohio he welded Mise Pamelial
sTrowdbridge, and who died ip Oneida
township the 2Sth Of January, 1892.
To them were born six children, as
follows: Martha E., Adeline, John f.,
Henry J.. Caroline NJ, William H.
Comes, to County in 1855.
John F. Merry came to Iowa with
his parents in an immigrant wagon
during the month of October, 1856. his
father locating the following spring
/ on a, farm in the northern part Of
Delaware county. A few years later
he taught school a couple of winter
terms in what was known as the Merry
District. In August 1862, he enlisted
Co. F, 46th Iowa Infantry. At the
March, 1863, was discharged for dis
ability. In April, 1864, he again re-
enlisted, recruited company, and as
second lieutenant was mustered into
Co. F. 46th Iowa Infantry. At the
close of the war he entered the service
OF Conger Brothers and Company, a
mercantile firm at Manchester, Iowa.
Two years later he engaged in the
same business on his own account. and
ct different times was a member Of
the following firms: Sherwood, Wheel
or & Merry. William Cattron & Com
pany, and Merry & Goodell.
Enters Service Of l. c. r. r. in 1880.
In 1880 he entered the service Of the
Illinois Central Railroad company. as
excursion agent. After three years he
was promoted to General Western
Passenger agent. then to Assistant
General Passenger agent OF western
lines. after which he was assistant
general passenger agent Of the entire
systema position he held until July
18th, 1905. when he was promoted to
0ersral Immigration Agent. In the
latter position all his time was devoted
to the settling up Of the country ad-
jscent to the Centrars Southern lines.
on the first day Of July, 1911, he retir-
cd on pension after thirty-one years
OF continuous service.
Captain Merry was twice married.
( On the 26th day of November, 1866, in
Manchester, he welded Miss Emma j.
Cattron, her parents being William
and Judith Cattron, pioneer residents
Of Delaware county. Mr.. Cattron is
deceased, while his widow resides at
Tacoma, Washington, at the age of "a.
TO Mr.. and Mrs. Merry were born
four sons, all of whom died young.
The wife and mother passed away on
the eighteenth Of January, 1908; and
on the 4th of February, 1904, Captain
Merry was again married, his second
union being with Miss Katherine