Betty (Hancer) and George Haylock settled in Washington Twp. west of Merrill, Iowa in 1876 on a farm.  George along with his good friend and business partner, Fred Aldrich opened a combination grocery store and hardware store in 1885.  Through the years the names changed at first it was Aldrich and Company, and later when George sold his farm the store was referred to as "Aldrich and Haylock."  The Aldriches managed the grocery store, while the Hancers specialized in the hardware business.  (The current day location of their store is where Larry's Automotive is located on Main Street in Merrill.)  The store was extremely successful.  Betty's niece, Estella Hancer, came to work for her aunt, and later when she and her husband opened Winter's General Store in Hinton, she credited the Haylock and Aldriches for their superior training.