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BATTLE CREEK BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
He had interests beside those in Battle Creek. In connection with Jonathan Hart, he built mills in Homer and otherwise contributed to the improvement of the country. He was truly a pioneer in the full sense of the word. Before the railroad was in operation, he could often have been seen mounted on a wagon, loaded with flour, starting out for Detroit, riding over those almost impassable roads and braving the inclemency of the weather for two hundred and forty miles in going to market and returning. A man of slender constitution, but of remarkable energy and perseverance of purpose. The young men of this day can hardly realize what the first settlers endured. It is just such men as Joseph Merritt and his companions who have laid the foundation of the prosperity of Michigan.
He lived to a good old age, and died many years since honored and lamented by all who knew him. His wife was a sister of Jonathan Hart. She was a noble woman, assisting and encouraging her husband in all his good works. She outlived him but a few years, and the name and good deeds of "Aunt Phebe, " as she was familiarly called, will long be remembered by all who knew her. They had a large family of children, of whom we can say, they are worthy of their parentage. Six are living: William, the proprietor of the flouring mill at Verona; Charles, who resides on the home farm; Richard, of the firm of Merritt & Kellogg, manufacturers of portable steam engines, who resides in Battle Creek; George lives in Indianapolis; Joseph in Kansas; and Jane, the wife of W. N. Chandler, in Lenawee county of this State.
Michigan
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