"Seattle and Environs, 1852-1924." Vol. 2.  Hon. C. H. Hanford, Editor. Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1924.  p. 521.
 
EDWARD L. MERRITT

     The romance of creating and building takes strong hold of man's
imagination. The architect, the bridge builder, the automobile manufacturer are
actuated no less by high ideals of service than the maker of swords, the weaver
of tapestries, the designer of violins. In architecture Edward L. Merritt has
found a broad field for self expression and while he has gained a substantial
measure of prosperity, his constructive work has also constituted an important
element in Seattle's upbuilding and improvement. He was born in Northfield,
Minnesota, October 31, 1881, and is a son of Charles E. and Lois (Levering)
Merritt, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Vermont. As a boy
the father made the journey from the east to Northfield and there grew to
manhood. He became a 'successful building contractor of that place but since
1900 has been a resident of Seattle and the mother is also living. Mr. and Mrs.
Merritt have two children, Mrs. Ethel L. Hall and Edward L. Merritt.
   The last named attended the grammar and high schools of Northfield and later
entered the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1900, on the
completion of a course in architecture. Coming to Seattle, he joined his father
in the general contracting business, which they conducted together for four
years, when they were joined by Virgil Hall in organizing the Merritt-Hall
Investment Company. This association was continued until 1914, when the
partnership was dissolved, and Edward L. Merritt. then engaged in his profession
under his own name until 1917, when he took over the business of the Craftsman
Bungalow Company, which he is now successfully conducting. He has designed many
homes which are the chief ornaments of their respective neighborhoods, pleasing
to the eye and constructed with a conscientious regard for real utility and the
comfort and convenience of their inmates. Experience has taught him practical
knowledge and wide reading has enhanced his technical training.
     Mr. Merritt was married in Seattle, on November 23, 1904, to Miss Emma M.
Wren, a daughter of Judge LeRoy R. Wren, a talented member of the legal
fraternity of Brownsville, Texas, and they have two children : Dorothy E., who
was born August 28, 1905, and was graduated from the Broadway high school, with
the class of 1923; and Hugh Edward, born February 22, 1910, and now a student in
the public schools.
     Mr. Merritt is a Knight Templar Mason, a Noble of Nile Temple, Mystic
Shrine, an Elk and an exemplary representative of those orders. He is
independent in his political views, supporting the men and measures best
calculated to advance the interests of good government and promote the welfare
of city, state and nation. He keeps in close touch with the progress that is
being made along architectural lines and natural talent and acquired ability
have brought him into prominent relation with a profession which has had much to
do with making Seattle the beautiful and attractive city that it is today.


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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in April 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.