John P. Merrill (1842-1897)
- JOHN P. MERRILL was born in Ross Township October 13, 1842, and is the second of five children born to Dudley and Julia A. (Peters) Merrill, who were married in Ross Township January 1, 1840; his father was a farmer, and also kept a country store. John P. Merrill attended school until he was about nineteen years old, and afterward clerked in his father's store until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; he served as Sergeant until October 31, 1864, when he was appointed First Lieutenant, a position he held with honor. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, at Jackson, Mission Ridge, Resaca, and went through to Raleigh; he returned to his home at Merrillville, Ross Township, June 15, 1865; he relieved his sister of her place in his father's store, taken by her in his absence. In 1867, he and his brother Oliver were given the store by their father. On March 26, 1867, he married Martha T. Randolph, daughter of Josiah and Alla (Mead) Randolph, and to this union four children were born -- Julia A. (September 11, 1868), Walter J. (October 18, 1871), Ralph D., deceased (August 17, 1875), and Alla C. (June 21, 1877). In 1878, he bought his brother Oliver's interest in the store, which he still continues; he is also President and Treasurer of the Merrillville Cheese Factory. In 1869, he was elected Township Trustee, which he held until 1874; he was then put in nomination by the Independent and Democratic joint conventions, held at Crown Point, for the office of the Treasurer of Lake County. In 1878, he was again elected Township Trustee, holding the office four years, re-elected in 1882; his many friends desire to see him Treasurer of the county, for which office he has been indorsed by the Greenback and Democratic Conventions, and it is thought his chances for election are good; he is a Master Mason and esteemed citizen.
The following was found on page 258 of a 1915 volume entitled A Standard History of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet Region by William Frederick Howat:
- Lieut. John P. Merrill, one of the sons of Dudley Merrill, of Merrillville, was born in that place October 13, 1843. In August, 1862, e enlisted in Company A, Ninety-ninth Regiment, and in October, 1864, was promoted from the office of sergeant to that of first lieutenant. He returned home in June, 1865, and became a merchant. He was for many years trustee of Ross Township, and at length, having been county treasurer, moved to Crown Point. Spending several years there as an active and useful citizen, he died suddenly on February 21, 1897, his older soldier friend, Captain Babbitt, answering the Almighty roll call on the following day.
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