Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1009.
 
NATHAN S. MERRILL

     who resides at Merrill, was born August 22, 1836, in Hillsborough county,
New Hampshire.  His father, Nathan Merrill, was also born in New Hampshire and
his father, William, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of that city.
They descended from three brothers who emigrated from Paris and landed in the
New World about the same time as the Mayflower. These men settled in the
vicinity of Boston and from them came the Merrill family. The mother of our
subject was, Julia A. (Merrill) Morrill, also a native of New Hampshire. Her
father died in service in the war of 1812. Our subject was the oldest of the
children and the rest are named as follows:William R., of Calusa, California;
John A., of Redding, California; Charles H, of Merrill, Oregon; Morris A., of
Willows, California; and Mrs. Henrietta Scruggins of Calusa, California. Our
subject came west with his parents to Kane county, Illinois, in 1846 and was
well educated in the common schools. In the fall of 1857, he and his parents
removed to McDonald county, Missouri, and in the spring of 1862, he returned to
Kane county, Illinois, and in the fall of 1869, accompanied by his wife and his
father, our subject came to Calusa county, California. There he engaged in
farming until 1881, when he emigrated to Chehalis county, Washington.  In that
vicinity, he gave his attention to agricultural work until the fall of 1890,
when he came to his present home place, which is in Merrill. He purchased a
ranch and in the spring of 1894, he laid out a portion of the town of Merrill.
The town occupies eighty acres of the farm and Mr. Merrill owns two thirds of
the townsite. He has five hundred acres adjoining the town and all of it is in
cultivation. Two hundred acres of this are in alfalfa and the balance produces
grain. It is all under ditch and Mr. Merrill owns an interest in the ditch. He
has a nice two story, eight room house, a barn sixty-two by one hundred and
sixteen feet and two acres in orchard, having all kinds of fruit in this lot. In
addition to this, Mr. Merrill has improved the place wonderfully by artistically
arranged shade trees and other improvements, so that his is one of the best
places and one of the most beautiful homes in the county. 1902, Mr., Merrill's
name appeared on the Democratic ticket for county commissioner and he was
promptly elected, carrying the Merrill precinct by three to one. His term was
for four years and he has given entire satisfaction in this position as he
brings to it a wealth of experience and sagacity that have made him the
successful businessman that he is today. Mr. Merrill was the first man to sign
the charter of the Klamath Falls Lodge, number 137, I. 0. 0. F., and is past
grand of that order. His wife is a member of the Rebekahs. He has withdrawn from
that lodge, being a charter member of Tule Lake Lodge, No. 187, and noble grand.
He has always been very active in every enterprise to build up and, improve the
country and is one of the leading men of this part of the state.
     On October 26, 1860, in McDonald county, Missouri, Mr. Merrill married Miss
Nancy J. Newland, who was born in Washington county, Arkansas. They are
representative people and are widely and favorably known in this part of the
state. The knowledge, wisdom and progress manifested by Mr. Merrill in his
career here have done much to build up the country and to further its
prosperity. In addition, his integrity and uprightness have won him a place
among the people which is very gratifying.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.