John MERRYMAN, a prosperpous and enterprising agriculturist of Grant Township, living on section 30, is a native of Ohio, born March 7, 1835, his parents, William H. and Naoma (THURMAN) MERRYMAN, being natives of the same State. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer which he has made his life work. At the age of fourteen he commenced working on a farm by the month, which he followed till twenty years old, when he rented a farm and began farming on his own account in Knox County, Ill. He was married in the year 1854 to Miss Rebecca MOORE, a daughter of George and Rebecca (LAYTON) MOORE, the former a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. MERRYMAN are the parents of four children, Arzina, Erma, William and Eva. He lived in Knox County fifteen years and then moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, and settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. MERRYMAN has met with success as an agriculturist and has now a good farm containing 240 acres of well improved land, a fine orchard, and a good house and farm buildings. In addition to his farming he has for fifteen years been engaged in the manufacture of surgum molasses. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He is one of the public spirited citizens of Grant Township which he has served as road supervisor and school director.

NOTE: William H. MERRYMAN was born circa 1792 in 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 1800, and died January 11, 1896. They were the parents of four children: Elsey (1835- ?), John, E. J. (1836-?), and Ambrose A. John MERRYMAN died March 17, 1910. Rebecca A. (MOORE) MERRYMAN was born circa 1835, the daughter of George MOORE (ca. 1806, IN - ?) and Rebecca (LAYTON) MOORE (ca. 1810-?). John and Rebecca's five children were:

1) Arzina Ellen MERRYMAN
    born 26 Apr 1855, Knox Co. IL; died 14 Nov 1931
2) Rachel Emma MERRYMAN
    born 1859, Knox Co. IL; died 1930
3) William D. MERRYMAN
    born 1861, Knox Co. IL
4) Evangeline M. MERRYMAN
    born 1864, Knox Co. IL; died before 1880
5) Eva J. MERRYMAN
    born 1873, Grant Twp., Ringgold Co. IA; died Dec 1888

John MERRYMAN's brother was Ambrose M. MERRYMAN.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 327, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

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

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