Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of December, 1827. When a young man, in his twenty-second year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849, traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to Boston. Throughout practically his entire business life he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year removed to the Middle West. He was employed: for one or two years in Peoria, Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Mount Pleasant. Leaving that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ottumwa in connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he continued until 1961. During the period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued until July, 1901. He then withdrew and opened an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into a colossal: wholesale grocery business recognized as one of the most important commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state. Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely known in financial connections as president of the Town National Bank and as president of the City Savings Bank. He did much to mold public thought and action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty during his first term.

Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of December, 1827. When a young man, in his twenty-second year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849, traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to Boston. Throughout practically his entire business life he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year removed to the Middle West. He was employed: for one or two years in Peoria, Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Mount Pleasant. Leaving that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ottumwa in connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he continued until 1961. During the period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued until July, 1901. He then withdrew and opened an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into a colossal: wholesale grocery business recognized as one of the most important commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state. Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely known in financial connections as president of the Town National Bank and as president of the City Savings Bank. He did much to mold public thought and action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty during his first term.

Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on the 27th of December, 1827. When a young man, in his twenty-second year, Joseph Henry Merrill started across the plains for California in 1849, traveling by ox and mule team. After many weary months the journey was ended at Sacramento, and he and his father built the first toll bridge across the Sacramento river. He made his return to the east by way of the Isthmus route to Boston. Throughout practically his entire business life he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business. In 1854 he was married and the following year removed to the Middle West. He was employed: for one or two years in Peoria, Illinois, and was acting as agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Mount Pleasant. Leaving that city, he embarked in the wholesale grocery business in Ottumwa in connection with C. W. Kittridge, with whom he continued until 1961. During the period of the Civil war he was alone in business and following the close of hostilities he was joined by Major Samuel Mahon and the partnership continued until July, 1901. He then withdrew and opened an office in the Electric building, starting a business which was developed into a colossal: wholesale grocery business recognized as one of the most important commercial enterprises, not only of Ottumwa but of this section of the state. Not only did he figure prominently in commercial circles but also became widely known in financial connections as president of the Town National Bank and as president of the City Savings Bank. He did much to mold public thought and action along many lines, was always deeply interested in matters of citizenship and was a member of the state legislature from 1871 until 1874, inclusive, his re-election coming in recognition of his faithfulness, capability and loyalty during his first term.