The Grave of Israel Merrill, Gridley Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas
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The Grave of Israel Merrill, Gridley Cemetery, Coffey County, Kansas |
Israel Merrill (parents James Merrill and Mary Starlin) was born 23 Feb. 1844 in Harrison Township Ohio. He died 6 Feb. 1907 in Gridley, Kansas. Israel was actually the first legitimate child of this relationship. Israel grew up in Harrison Township, Hamilton County Ohio. His father James, A stone cutter and carpenter by trade, his mother was a weaver, specializing in carpets. The first United States Census that Israel shows up on is the 1850 United States Census in Harrison Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, enumerated with his parents, and siblings.
In mid 1850's the Bibee Family from near Nashville, TN (Warren County), moved into Harrison Township. In the 1860 Census the Bibee Family can be seen in Harrison Township close to the Merrill Family. It is assumed that Israel first met his wife Sarah in Harrison Township, Ohio, prior to his enlistment into the I Company of the 5th Cavalry Regiment of Ohio, in 1864.
In Military and Pension Records received from the National Archives in Washington D.C., we find that after Israel's discharge from his military service he had gone from Raleigh, North Carolina back to Harrison Township. At the time of his return, his parents were in the midst of a divorce. Israel and his father, James, stayed in Harrison for a few months.
The Bibee family had left Harrison Township during the War and moved into Illinois (Edgar County). One can only assume that the relationship that Israel had with Sarah as a young lad encouraged him to remove himself to Edgar County, Illinois. Israel & Sarah's Marriage record is found in the Register of Marriages in Edgar County Illinois, dated November 4, 1867, certified by R.Holding, Minister of the Gospel.
No census record has been found to date, on Israel & Sarah for the year 1870. However, we do know that his son William was born in 1868 in Paris, Illinois and that his next son Jessie was also born in 1870 in Paris, Illinois. In Israel's wife's (Sarah) obituary from February, 1910, in Gridley, Kansas, we learn that the family moved to the Kansas Area in the summer of 1870. Israel at that time was working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. We also know, through military records, that Israel's father, James, followed him to Coffey County, Kansas.
Israel's Service Record in the 5th Ohio indicates that he was 20 years old when he enlisted, serving under the command of 1st Lt Elwood T. Niles. Civil War records indicate this regiment fought in the following Civil War Battles (only listing those in which Israel was enlisted): Marietta, GA October 1864; Allatoona, GA October 1864; Sandersville, GA, Nov 1864; Buck Head Creek, GA Nov 1864; Lancaster, South Carolina March 1865; Fayetteville, NC March 1865; Monroes Cross, Soloman's Grove, Faison's Depot, Duram Station March/April 1865.
Enlistment form states that Israel had Gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall.Ohio 5th Cavalry Descriptive Book aged 20 years and occupation as a laborer 8/23/1864 under the command of Captain Roberts. At the time of enlistment he was issued one haversack and 1 canteen.
Detachment Muster-Out Roll June 26, 1865 bounty paid $33.33. Remarks:"Mustered
out per G.O. No. 83. 1 pair of spurs and straps @ .52c,1 horse brush @ .75c.
Agreed to pay back $1.27.
In an application # 743842 to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, dated Feb. 21, 1890, Israel Merrill states that he enlisted on August 23, 1864 and served as private in Company I5 of the Regiment of the Ohio Cavalry, and was discharged at Raleigh, North Carolina on June 26, 1865. "It is also alleged that while on due at Savannah Georgia on or about the Winter of 1864/5 he was disable by catarrh disease of the respiratory organs, diarrhea, disease of the liver and stomach, treated by a surgeon." While there were no medical records finding him to have been treated, he was granted a pension for his service.
According to "In The Beginning's"- historical newsletter of Woodson County - Israel Merrill and his family were part of the founding families of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church. In later years, his sons Will & Dan and their families were prominent members of this church founded in 1896.
Israel's obituary is found THE GRIDLEY STAR, February 14, 1907: We are sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Israel Merrill who died Wednesday night February 6, of heart failure, aged 63 years. He leaves a wife and five sons to mourn his loss. He was laid to rest in the Gridley Cemetery. The bereaved have the sympathy of all.
Israel's Death is found in the Coffey County Register of Deaths: February 1907,
P 43 Line 10; Israel was a Farmer at the time of death. Cause of death is recorded
as Paralysis. D.W. Sanders Medical Doctor reporting the death.
For More information about the Merrill and it's history, please link to the following website:
Children of Israel Merrill and Sarah Bibee are:
Jessie Merrill13, born Abt. 1870 in Paris, Illinois. Died: Unknown
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Site Last Updated January 7, 2007