My Genealogy Hound

MINOR MERRICK, one of Cortland County’s successful and representative agriculturists, whose residence and well-appointed farm is in the town of Cortlandville, near Blodgett’s Mills, was born in the town of Virgil, the particular locality, however, being now included in the limits of the town of Lapeer. His parents were Minor and Betsey (Chapin) Merrick, and his grandfather was Minor Merrick, Sr.

Our subject’s grandfather was born in Uniontown, Mass., and when he grew to manhood removed to the town of Butternuts, Otsego County, N. Y., where he bought a farm and laid the firm foundations for a substantial life success. His life that promised so much was suddenly cut short by an all-wise Providence when he was still a young man; he left at his death a young wife, who soon after his decease moved to Cayuga County, and settled in the town of Merrifield, where our subject’s father was born, and where our subject’s mother was married again.

Minor Merrick, Jr., married in Merrifield at the age of twenty-four, and moved to Hunt’s Corners, this county, where he worked in the potash business a few years. In 1839, he came to the town of Cortland, and bought the W. Sprague farm, which he operated until 1865, when he disposed of it, and secured the E. Corwin farm, which our subject now owns. The father of the present scion of the Merrick house died there at the age of seventy-six, while his wife, who was a remarkably strong, active and intelligent lady, lived to be ninety-one years old. They were both members of the M. E. Church. Their children were: Mary L.; Minor; Chapin W., who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, while in the service of the United States in Co. K, 76th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf.; and Betsey.

Our subject was born November 28, 1831, and as he was left the only son after the death of his brother Chapin in the late War, he remained on the homestead with his parents, and assumed the management of the place, when age began to enfeeble his worthy parents, and make them dependent on his efforts. He did all that a dutiful son could do to ease their last moments, and eventually inherited the homestead. Since taking charge of the farm, his methods of agriculture have proved revelations to such as are not blessed with his own spirit of progress and desire for advancement. He has had the house enlarged and remodeled to suit his ideas of what a comfortable and convenient farm-house should be, and he now has a home that is exactly suited to the needs of the place. The barns were moved across the road, and a new one built. Mr. Merrick in addition to other valuable live stock has a herd of twelve choice milch cows. His farm is well entitled to rank among the best in the county for its size, while he enjoys the distinction of being a practical as well as successful farmer. Mr. Merrick has always taken a lively, intelligent interest in town affairs, and as a Republican of decided stamp has filled many of the minor offices of the town of Cortlandville.

Our subject married Miss Henrietta Van Valkenburg, daughter of Alanson Van Valkenburg of the town of Cortlandville, and their union has been blessed with five children, as follows: Edwin H., who runs a meat market in Homer village; Jennie A., who married Dell June; Nellie, who became the wife of F. Atwood of Groton, N. Y.; Walter C., a farmer of Binghamton, N. Y.; and Vernon R., who is a telegraph operator in the offices of the D., L. & W. R. R. at Cortland, N. Y. Our subject’s son-in-law, Dell June, has served as station agent at Blodgett’s Mills for the D., L. & W. R. R. for the past twenty-four years, and is an extensive dealer in coal. He was also engaged in dealing in produce for twelve years, and for the past six years has been a member of the firm of Tanner & June, manufacturers of chairs and novelty goods. He is in fact one of the most energetic business men of the village. Our subject and wife are devout Christian people, their church connections being with the Baptist organization.