JOHN J. MERRICK, the subject of this sketch, is one of the large land-owners of Kent Township, where he owns 300 acres on section 8. He is the son of John and Polly (Rice) Merrick, who were natives of New England. His parents were married in Massachusetts, and commenced life in Stockbridge, whence they removed to Caroline, Tompkins County, N. Y., where they resided until they both died. The father was a farmer, which occupation he followed during his entire life. Their family consisted of four children, three boys and one girl, of whom the youngest is the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Merrick was born in Caroline, Tompkins Co., N. Y., on the 14th of February, 1823. His early life was spent on the farm of his parents, and he remained in his native county until 1846, when, like so many of the active young men of his time in New England and the East, he sought to better his condition by removing to the western country, which was then just being opened up and which offered such tempting prospects for the future. In the year last mentioned he emigrated to Illinois and settled in Kent Township, Stephenson County, where he has since resided. Having begun life in that section as a farmer he has wisely continued in agricultural pursuits to the present date. When he came to Stephenson County, this section possessed few of the attractions which it now does, but all the elements were here out of which to construct the magnificent farms that have since been created. Mr. Merrick saw this and realized that by hard work, careful management and prudent economy, one might here become the peer of the best in the country. Time has proved that he was right, for he is now the owner of over 300 splendid acres, every one of which is tillable.

Having arranged to build himself a home in the West, Mr. Merrick returned to his native State for a life partner, and married in Seneca County, N. Y., in September, 1847, Miss Elizabeth McIntyre. She is supposed to have been born in Tompkins County, N. Y., in June, 1826. She bore him one child, Mary E., who is the wife of S. A. Daughenbaugh, resides in Kent Township, and is the mother of seven children, whose names are as follows: Harry, John I., Henry H., Anna C., Samuel A., Walter A. and Bernice. Mrs. Merrick’s married life was brief, for she died in Kent Township the 23d of April, 1852. Mr. Merrick has held several important offices of the township, and politically is a Democrat.

While Mr. and Mrs. Merrick were en route from New York State to Stephenson County, and while on board the steamer on Lake Huron, the vessel collided with another, which caused much consternation and terror among the passengers, but further than this no harm resulted. To this day Mr. Merrick vividly recalls the exciting scenes on the vessel at that memorable moment of his life.

Mr. Merrick’s life has been one of patient, laborious industry in the single vocation to which he has devoted his best years, and his prudent forethought and sagacity have brought him an ample and deserved reward. As one of the sterling and respected citizens of Stephenson County, we are glad to supplement this brief history of his life with an excellent portrait of our subject.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 613