OBITUARY: John W. Merritt, Jackson County, Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elizabeth Corethers 4 Aug 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Sun, Sunday, 19 Jun 1921, p. 3, c. 6-7 J. W. MERRITT, ONE OF JACKSON COUNTY'S BEST BELOVED CITIZENS, PASSES AWAY John W. Merritt, one of the most beloved and respected citizens of Jackson County, passed away at his home in Gold Hill last evening. Mr. Merritt was born on a farm near Syracuse, New York on October 30, 1846, of old New England stock. He received his public school education in the public schools of Oswego, later attending the Syracuse Normal, from which he graduated. Later Mr. Merritt attended and graduated from the University of Syracuse. In the year 1875 he moved to Jacksonville, Oregon, where he became principal of the public school, which position he held for a period of nine years, during which time he maintained a very high standard of discipline and mental training, and was beloved by all who attended the school. During the time he was principal of the Jacksonville school, he was offered a chair as an instructor of mathematics in the University of Oregon, but the board of directors would not release him from his contract and he was forced to decline the position. Mr. Merritt entered into the mercantile business in Jacksonville in the year 1883 where he conducted such business for a period of four years with good success. Later Mr. Merritt moved his business to Central Point, Oregon, where he conducted a very successful business until the year 1916, at which time he closed the business in Central Point and gave his full attended to his general mercantile business in Gold Hill. Mr. Merritt was a very successful business man, and during his life owned many farms and orchards throughout Rogue River valley. Politically he was a reputation and in the year 1890 was elected to the state legislature, where he served on committees of commerce and engrossing. In the year 1892 Mr. Merritt was re-elected to the legislature and again served in the same capacities as in the former term. In the year 1891 Mr. Merritt was married to Miss Jennie E. Moore, and in the year 1893 they were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Esther Louise, who is now Mrs. B. L. Sanderson, and who was with Mr. Merritt at Gold Hill until the time of his death. Mr. Merritt leaves to survive him his wife, his daughter, Mrs. B. L. Sanderson and one grandson, John Merritt Sanderson, and George H. Martin, a son by a former wife, Ila McCulla Merritt, three sisters and one brother, Mrs. Amanda Fancher, Mrs. Ella Chaffe, Mrs. Geal Down and A. R. Merritt, all of Beaverton, New York. Mr. Merritt was beloved by all who knew him, there being many within this county having attended school to Mr. Merritt, who mourn his death as they would a father. Funeral services in charge of Weeks-Conger Co., were held at the family residence in Gold Hill Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m., with Rev. R. Hutchinson officiating, assisted by the Central Point Lodge No. 135, A. F. & A. M. Interment in Jacksonville cemetery.