EDWIN F. MERRILL— It is rather an unusual circumstance to tind any line of business actively operating in three successive generations of the same family; yet such is the case with the Merrill Undertaking Company of East Randolph, N. Y., and Falconer, N. Y. On June 7, 1919, the fifty-seventh anniversary of the founding of the business was marked. The grandfather of Edwin F. Merrill established it at East Randolph, in 1862, later taking into the business his son, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and in course of time the grandson also was taken into the business, making the
third of his race to be so engaged. Edwin F. Merrill is not a chance undertaker, taking it up over night and making a living by it, instead he is regularly trained in what is now regarded as a profession, having studied anatomy, embalming, sanitation and disinfection, passing the examination of the New York State Board of Undertakers, Aug. 28, 1905. In January of that year he had successfully passed the necessary examinations in the above mentioned studies, qualifying himself for the later tests by the State Board. Edwin F. Merrill was born in Chicago, Ill., May 2, 1869. His father, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and his mother, Mary D. (Lapp) Merrill, living there at that time. The former died in 1902.
Young Merrill was educated in the local schools, graduating from the high school of East Randolph, later entering Chamberlain Institute, from which he graduated in 1884. Not wishing to settle down to the undertaking business quite so early, the young man found employment with Merrick & Peke, dealers in horses and cattle. This firm sent him out West to visit the large
western cattle raising districts and to buy up and to ship to them horses and cattle, the young man having a very good knowledge of live stock. Mr. Merrill made the trip on horseback, going through all the far west cattle states. He remained with Merrick & Peke seven years, returning East eventually, joining his father in the business at East Randolph. In connection with the work there Mr. Merrill opened an office at Falconer, N. Y., March 17, 1916, and this he makes his place of residence.
At Cherry Creek, N. Y., in 1892, Edwin F. Merrill married Emma L. Clark, a resident of Clark, N. Y. This town was named in honor of some of the original settlers of the place, the Clark family, ancestors of the present Mrs. Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children: Mildred E., wife of Charles Metcaf [sic], and Marcus Clark Merrill.
Mr. Merrill is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the New York State Embalmers' Association, also the Sons of Veterans. This last society Mr. Merrill joined because he honors the war record of his father who was a veteran of the Civil War. Marcus Fenton Merrill served through the entire four years of the war with the 9th New York Cavalry, in Company E. In Oct., 1861, he went to the camp for soldiers at Westfield, N. Y., under Capt. B. J. Coffin, then was sent to the barracks at Albany, later to Washington, D. C, then to Camp Fenton Peninsula, and later returned to Washington, being mounted there. He immediately rode into Virginia and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. His regiment opened the hard fought fight at Gettysburg, and was in all battles up to the time of that bloody battle at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. At one time Mr. Merrill was a tent mate and comrade of Daniel Peek, an old resident of Jamestown. Mr. Merrill was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1865. The son is naturally proud of his father's war record.
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Source: History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People, John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge, American Historical Society, Inc., Boston, New York, Chicago, 1921, Vol II, page 169.
third of his race to be so engaged. Edwin F. Merrill is not a chance undertaker, taking it up over night and making a living by it, instead he is regularly trained in what is now regarded as a profession, having studied anatomy, embalming, sanitation and disinfection, passing the examination of the New York State Board of Undertakers, Aug. 28, 1905. In January of that year he had successfully passed the necessary examinations in the above mentioned studies, qualifying himself for the later tests by the State Board. Edwin F. Merrill was born in Chicago, Ill., May 2, 1869. His father, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and his mother, Mary D. (Lapp) Merrill, living there at that time. The former died in 1902.
Young Merrill was educated in the local schools, graduating from the high school of East Randolph, later entering Chamberlain Institute, from which he graduated in 1884. Not wishing to settle down to the undertaking business quite so early, the young man found employment with Merrick & Peke, dealers in horses and cattle. This firm sent him out West to visit the large
western cattle raising districts and to buy up and to ship to them horses and cattle, the young man having a very good knowledge of live stock. Mr. Merrill made the trip on horseback, going through all the far west cattle states. He remained with Merrick & Peke seven years, returning East eventually, joining his father in the business at East Randolph. In connection with the work there Mr. Merrill opened an office at Falconer, N. Y., March 17, 1916, and this he makes his place of residence.
At Cherry Creek, N. Y., in 1892, Edwin F. Merrill married Emma L. Clark, a resident of Clark, N. Y. This town was named in honor of some of the original settlers of the place, the Clark family, ancestors of the present Mrs. Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children: Mildred E., wife of Charles Metcaf [sic], and Marcus Clark Merrill.
Mr. Merrill is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the New York State Embalmers' Association, also the Sons of Veterans. This last society Mr. Merrill joined because he honors the war record of his father who was a veteran of the Civil War. Marcus Fenton Merrill served through the entire four years of the war with the 9th New York Cavalry, in Company E. In Oct., 1861, he went to the camp for soldiers at Westfield, N. Y., under Capt. B. J. Coffin, then was sent to the barracks at Albany, later to Washington, D. C, then to Camp Fenton Peninsula, and later returned to Washington, being mounted there. He immediately rode into Virginia and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. His regiment opened the hard fought fight at Gettysburg, and was in all battles up to the time of that bloody battle at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. At one time Mr. Merrill was a tent mate and comrade of Daniel Peek, an old resident of Jamestown. Mr. Merrill was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1865. The son is naturally proud of his father's war record.
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Source: History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People, John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge, American Historical Society, Inc., Boston, New York, Chicago, 1921, Vol II, page 169.
EDWIN F. MERRILL— It is rather an unusual circumstance to tind any line of business actively operating in three successive generations of the same family; yet such is the case with the Merrill Undertaking Company of East Randolph, N. Y., and Falconer, N. Y. On June 7, 1919, the fifty-seventh anniversary of the founding of the business was marked. The grandfather of Edwin F. Merrill established it at East Randolph, in 1862, later taking into the business his son, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and in course of time the grandson also was taken into the business, making the
third of his race to be so engaged. Edwin F. Merrill is not a chance undertaker, taking it up over night and making a living by it, instead he is regularly trained in what is now regarded as a profession, having studied anatomy, embalming, sanitation and disinfection, passing the examination of the New York State Board of Undertakers, Aug. 28, 1905. In January of that year he had successfully passed the necessary examinations in the above mentioned studies, qualifying himself for the later tests by the State Board. Edwin F. Merrill was born in Chicago, Ill., May 2, 1869. His father, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and his mother, Mary D. (Lapp) Merrill, living there at that time. The former died in 1902.
Young Merrill was educated in the local schools, graduating from the high school of East Randolph, later entering Chamberlain Institute, from which he graduated in 1884. Not wishing to settle down to the undertaking business quite so early, the young man found employment with Merrick & Peke, dealers in horses and cattle. This firm sent him out West to visit the large
western cattle raising districts and to buy up and to ship to them horses and cattle, the young man having a very good knowledge of live stock. Mr. Merrill made the trip on horseback, going through all the far west cattle states. He remained with Merrick & Peke seven years, returning East eventually, joining his father in the business at East Randolph. In connection with the work there Mr. Merrill opened an office at Falconer, N. Y., March 17, 1916, and this he makes his place of residence.
At Cherry Creek, N. Y., in 1892, Edwin F. Merrill married Emma L. Clark, a resident of Clark, N. Y. This town was named in honor of some of the original settlers of the place, the Clark family, ancestors of the present Mrs. Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children: Mildred E., wife of Charles Metcaf [sic], and Marcus Clark Merrill.
Mr. Merrill is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the New York State Embalmers' Association, also the Sons of Veterans. This last society Mr. Merrill joined because he honors the war record of his father who was a veteran of the Civil War. Marcus Fenton Merrill served through the entire four years of the war with the 9th New York Cavalry, in Company E. In Oct., 1861, he went to the camp for soldiers at Westfield, N. Y., under Capt. B. J. Coffin, then was sent to the barracks at Albany, later to Washington, D. C, then to Camp Fenton Peninsula, and later returned to Washington, being mounted there. He immediately rode into Virginia and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. His regiment opened the hard fought fight at Gettysburg, and was in all battles up to the time of that bloody battle at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. At one time Mr. Merrill was a tent mate and comrade of Daniel Peek, an old resident of Jamestown. Mr. Merrill was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1865. The son is naturally proud of his father's war record.
-----
Source: History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People, John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge, American Historical Society, Inc., Boston, New York, Chicago, 1921, Vol II, page 169.
third of his race to be so engaged. Edwin F. Merrill is not a chance undertaker, taking it up over night and making a living by it, instead he is regularly trained in what is now regarded as a profession, having studied anatomy, embalming, sanitation and disinfection, passing the examination of the New York State Board of Undertakers, Aug. 28, 1905. In January of that year he had successfully passed the necessary examinations in the above mentioned studies, qualifying himself for the later tests by the State Board. Edwin F. Merrill was born in Chicago, Ill., May 2, 1869. His father, Marcus Fenton Merrill, and his mother, Mary D. (Lapp) Merrill, living there at that time. The former died in 1902.
Young Merrill was educated in the local schools, graduating from the high school of East Randolph, later entering Chamberlain Institute, from which he graduated in 1884. Not wishing to settle down to the undertaking business quite so early, the young man found employment with Merrick & Peke, dealers in horses and cattle. This firm sent him out West to visit the large
western cattle raising districts and to buy up and to ship to them horses and cattle, the young man having a very good knowledge of live stock. Mr. Merrill made the trip on horseback, going through all the far west cattle states. He remained with Merrick & Peke seven years, returning East eventually, joining his father in the business at East Randolph. In connection with the work there Mr. Merrill opened an office at Falconer, N. Y., March 17, 1916, and this he makes his place of residence.
At Cherry Creek, N. Y., in 1892, Edwin F. Merrill married Emma L. Clark, a resident of Clark, N. Y. This town was named in honor of some of the original settlers of the place, the Clark family, ancestors of the present Mrs. Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have two children: Mildred E., wife of Charles Metcaf [sic], and Marcus Clark Merrill.
Mr. Merrill is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the New York State Embalmers' Association, also the Sons of Veterans. This last society Mr. Merrill joined because he honors the war record of his father who was a veteran of the Civil War. Marcus Fenton Merrill served through the entire four years of the war with the 9th New York Cavalry, in Company E. In Oct., 1861, he went to the camp for soldiers at Westfield, N. Y., under Capt. B. J. Coffin, then was sent to the barracks at Albany, later to Washington, D. C, then to Camp Fenton Peninsula, and later returned to Washington, being mounted there. He immediately rode into Virginia and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. His regiment opened the hard fought fight at Gettysburg, and was in all battles up to the time of that bloody battle at Spottsylvania Court House in 1864. At one time Mr. Merrill was a tent mate and comrade of Daniel Peek, an old resident of Jamestown. Mr. Merrill was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1865. The son is naturally proud of his father's war record.
-----
Source: History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People, John P. Downs, Editor-in-Charge, American Historical Society, Inc., Boston, New York, Chicago, 1921, Vol II, page 169.
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