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Blairstown Press; April 9, 1920
Taps For G. A. R. Hero
Charles B. Merriman
Chas. H. Merriman Who Served With Notable Distinction In Civil War Goes To Join Great Commander.
Tuesday night at 10 o’clock marked the passing of one of Benton Counties pioneers and one of the few who remained of the old G. A. R. Post of Blairstown, our fellow townsman, Mr. C. B. Merriman.
Charles B. Merriman was born in Henry County, Ill., January 20, 1839 in the midst of the tribe of Winnebago Indians and was the second white child born in that county. There were but two white famlies that the Merrimans could call neighbors. One lived eight miles and the other thirteen miles away. His father had to go eighty miles to the nearest grist mill with his corn. They broke the prairies ten summers with five yoke of oxen and a twenty two inch plow. He had no privileges of school until he left the parental home when for two winters he tramped six miles twice every day to acquire an education. He was reared amid the hardships of the early settlers life and was a graduate from the school of hard knocks.
Charles was twenty two when he answered the call to arms sent out by President Lincoln for 300,000 men. He was one of the first to offer himself in the company organized by Rev. Joseph Wesley of Green River this being Company K, of the 112th Illinois Infantry.
He was mustered in for a three year period or during this war on September 10, 1861.
He was placed in a company of 1200 select men under Captain Saunders after proving his ability in several engagements and with Saunders Raiders endured the hardships and peculiar dangers of this type of warfare. Comrade Merriman was engaged in eleven battles, thirty two scrimmages and was once captured by John Morgan, but escaped. He was mustered out on June 20, 1865 and returned to Genoseo, Ill.
He removed to Benton County, la., in 1866 where he has lived ever since. As City Marshall, Auctioneer, Deputy Sheriff and in a great many other offices he has enjoyed the confidence of the people.
He was married to Sarah Hutton on October 4, 1899 who proved her devotion to him by constant care of him during his long last illness. She never failed to do her utmost thru all the many years of affliction thru which he passed, to minister to his comfort for Mr. Merriman on his part was a kind and affectionate husband.
Mr Merriman had been in ill health for a number of years but was until the past year a regular attendant at the services of the Evangelical church of which he was a member and he often spoke of his deep regret that he was unable to be present as in former years.
In spite of his advanced years and the complication, of ailments with which he was afflicted he was quite hopeful of recovery but death finally relieved him of his sufferings and he passed away peacefully on Tuesday night, March 30 at the ripe old age of 81 years 2 months and 10 days.
Besides the immediate relatives who with his devoted companion will mourn his loss Mr. Merriman will be missed by a large circle of friends who have grown accustomed to his presence upon the streets of our town.
The funeral was conducted by Rev. Yaggy who was assisted by Rev. C. S Burnard. Interment was made in the Blairstown cemetery.
The pall bearers were six young men who served in the late war and members of the American Legion. They were Captain Paul Richardson, Sgt Ray Goss, Porter Kimm, August Hansen, George Leonard, Milford, Davis Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. Merriman. brother; Ira West, nephew; Gcnoseo, Ill. Mrs. Behrs, Davcnport and Mrs. Bert White Clay Center, Kansas. daughter of Mrs. Merriman.
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