A[mbrose] M. MERRYMAN, farmer and veterinary surgeon, residing on section 29, Grant Township, is a native of Illinois, born January 1, 1837, a son of William H. and Neomia (sic, should be Naomia E. ) "Amy" (THURMAN) MERRYMAN, who were natives of the State of Ohio. A. M. MERRYMAN, our subject, was early in life inured to hard work, beginning to work by the month on a farm at the age of seven years which he continuted for seven years, after which he was engaged in breaking prairie for seven years.

He was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. WEST, a daughter of Isaac and Mary WEST, natives of Ohio, and to this union have been born five children - Ida, the eldest child, died aged sixteen years; George A.; Elnora J.; Clara B.; Elmer.

Mr. MERRYMAN was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company L, Eighth Missouri Infantry, Sharp-Shooters, in which he served three years. He took part in the battle of Fort Donelson, Bulls Run, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Lookout Mountain and several other engagements of less importance, and received an honorable discharge at St. Louis, Missouri, March 1, 1864. He now belongs the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of the post at Clearfield, Iowa.

Mr. MERRYMAN came to Iowa in 1870 when he located in Wayne County, remaining there till 1877, since which he has resided on his present farm in Grant Township. He has been prosperous in his agricultural pursits, and is now the owner of 320 acres of fine land, 160 acres being located on section 27,and the rest on section 29, where he resides. He is an industrious and enterprising citizen and is much respected throughout the community where he makes his home.

NOTE: Isaac S. WEST was born October 21, 1811, Yates City, Knox County, Illinois, and died April 19, 1884, Yates City, Knox County, Illinois. Mary (SPEAGHT) WEST was born in 1812, Virginia, and died July 13, 1891, Yates City, Knox County, Illinois. Caroline Elizabeth (WEST) MERRYMAN and Zachariah WEST, twins were the eldest of their three children. They were born 31 Jul 1840, Highland OH; the third child being Lewis S. WEST, born 06 Aug 1850, Yates City, Knox Co. IL.

William H. MERRYMAN was born circa 1792 in Knox, Tennessee, and died circa 1840, Illinois. He married Naomia "Amy" THURMAN in Highland County, Ohio on July 28, 1829. Naomia Amy (THURMAN) MERRYMAN was born circa 1803, and died January 11, 1896, Clearfield, Ringgold County, Iowa. They were the parents of three children: Elsey [E. J.?] (1835- ?), John (b. 07 Mar 1834-1910), and Ambrose A.

Ambrose [A. M.] MERRYMAN was born January 1, 1837, Knox County, Illinois. Ambrose M. and Caroline E. (WEST) MERRYMAN were the parents of five children: Ida Mary, born 17 Jul 1864, Keokuk IA, d. 01 Aug 1880, Ringgold County IA; George Argilver, b. 18 Jun 1865, d. 1956, Allen KS; Elinora J., b. 26 Jan 1867 or Jul 1866; Clara Belle, b. 06 Sep 1873, Wayne IA, d. 31 Jul 1952, Ponca City, Kay Co. OK; and William Elmer, b. 14 Dec 1879, Ringgold Co. IA, d. Feb. 1962, Salem OR. After residing in Ringgold County, the family moved to Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas.

Caroline Elizabeth (WEST) MERRYMAN was born July 31, 1840, Highland County, Ohio, and died January 28, 1933, Nardin, Kay County, Oklahoma. Ambrose M. MERRYMAN died September 30, 1922, Blackwell, Kay County, Oklahoma. A. M. and Caroline were interred at Blackwell [a.k.a. I.O.O.F.] Cemetery, Blackwell, Kay County, Oklahoma. Ambrose M. and Caroline E. married December 23, 1862, Yates City, Knox County, Illinois, and were the parents of five children:

1) Ida Mary MERRYMAN
    born 17 Jul 1864, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA; died 01 Aug 1880, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
2) George Argilver MERRYMAN
    born 18 Jun 1865, Knox Co. IL; died 1956
    married 18 Mar 1889 Sarah Elizabeth HASKINS, born Jan 1872, Mount Ayr IA
    Sarah was the daughter of G. B. HASKINS
3) Elinora J. MERRYMAN, born 26 Jan 1867
    married 1st 1887 Joseph F. SMITH, b. May 1865, d. ?
    married 25 Dec 1888 Walter H. CREWS (ca. 1865- ?)
4) Clara Belle MERRYMAN
    born 06 Sep 1873; died 31 Jul 1852, Ponca City, Kay Co. OK; interment Blackwell, Kay Co. OK
    married 05 Dec 1891, Mount Ayr IA Charles Wesley HASKINS (1868-1943)
5) William Elmer MERRYMAN
    born 14 Dec 1879, Ringgold Co. IA; died Feb 1962
    married 1st 25 Dec 1897 Ora Beatrice PORTER [1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6, 10]
     Ora Beatrice (PORTER) MERRYMAN
      b. 18 Oct 1879, Paris, Edgar Co. IL: d. 07 Oct 1947, Wellington, Sumner Co. KS
    William Elmer and Ora Beatrice (PORTER) MERRYMAN were the parents of 7 children:
      1) Earl William MERRYMAN
          b. 18 Jan 1899, Blackwell, Kay Co. OK; d. 30 Jul 1968, Wellington KS [2, 3, 4]
      2) Bessie Lee MERRYMAN
          b. 13 Oct 1902, Blackwell, Kay Co. OK; d. 17 Mar 1903, Blackwell OK [13]
      3) Harold Rollie MERRYMAN
           b. 16 Apr 1904, Blackwell, Kay Co. OK; d. 21 Apr 1987, Alhambra, Los Angeles Co. CA [3, 4, 5]
      4) Thomas Eugene MERRYMAN
          b. 28 Sep 1905, Blackwell, Kay Co. OK; d. 03 Aug 1928, Wellington KS [3, 4, 5, 6]
      5) Lurlin MERRYMAN
          b. 20 Feb 1907, OK; d. 31 Jan 2002, San Bernardino CA [3, 4, 5, 6, 10]
      6) Lyndell Guy MERRYMAN
          b. 06 Jun 1910, KS; d. 14 Jun 1928, Wellington KS [4, 5, 6, 11]
      7) Clarence Burdette MERRYMAN
          b. 24 Feb 1912, Wellington KS; d. 26 Sep 1977, San Bernadine CA [4, 5, 6, 12]
    William Elmer MERRYMAN married 2nd Zola B. (?) (1907-1970) [9]

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 268-69, 1887.

1920 Federal Census, Kay County, Oklahoma

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

SOURCES from Robyn Merryman Sheets:
1 Marriage Records - New Kirk, Kay, OK 1893-1897
WWI Draft Registration Cards - 1917-1918 - Ancestry.com
2 1900 Federal Census - Renfrow, Kay, Ok
3 1910 Federal Census - Wellington, Sumner, KS
4 1915 KS State Census
5 1920 Federal Census
6 1925 KS State Census
7 SSDI
8 Oregon Death Index, 1903-98 - Ancestry.com
9 Obituary -Newspaper -Salem, OR
10 Record of Funeral
11 Wellington Newspaper obit -June 1928
12 California Death Index, 1940-1997 -Ancestry.com
13 Photo of headstone -Blackwell, OK - Bessie Lee, daughter of Elmer & Ora Merryman, born _____(the rest is covered under grass)

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z

To submit your Ringgold County biographies, contact The County Coordinator.
Please include the word "Ringgold" in the subject line. Thank you.