The following, found on page 714, comes from the 1882 Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical an Biographical, edited by Weston A. Goodspeed and Charles Blanchard:
HENRY CASS MERRILL was born in Centreville (now Merrillville), Ross Township, Lake Co., Ind., February 29, 1852. Until he was twenty years of age, he divided his time between going to school and working on his father's farm. In 1872, he went to California and worked in the mines for two years, where he accumulated some money. Returning to Merrillville, he commenced farming. In 1874, he was married to Cynthia Saxton, of this township, by which union were born three children -- Everett C. (born January 30, 1879), Archie W. (born October 21, 1880), and Guy G. (born June 30, 1882). Mr. Merrill is a general farmer, but gives most attention to the breeding of stock, particularly hogs; he is liberal in politics, a church attendant, and a widely esteemed citizen.