San Francisco County
Biographies
J. M. MERRELL
J. M. MERRELL was born in Syracuse,
New York, and is a son of Charles G.
Merrell, a descendant of the old Knickerbockers family. In 1847 the father immigrated
with his family to the Pacific coast, making the Journey overland. He remained
in Oregon the first year, and then went to California;
our subject accompanied his father, making the trip in a sailing vessel. He
remained in San Francisco until the fall of 1850, and then
returned to Oregon, where his
father had made a permanent settlement. In 1852 Mr. Merrell again returned to California
and engaged in mercantile trade in the northern part of the State. Later on he
became interested in the mountain trade in Idaho and Montana,
where he had considerable mining and mercantile investments.
In
1870 Mr. Merrell engaged in quartz mining in Montana,
and for many years he has been prominently identified with that industry. He
has been a prominent factor in the development of some of the richest mines of
that section, among which are the “Bimetallic” “and the Granite
Mountain” mines. He is also
connected with various other commercial enterprises in which his ability and
energy have been gratefully recognized. Politically he affiliates with the
Republican Party, and while he is interested in good government he has no taste
for official life. The success which has crowned his efforts has not been an
unmerited gift, but a reward well and faithfully earned through persistent
efforts.
Mr.
Merrell was married to Miss Davis of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania,
and one son was born of the Union, who is named Millard
G., and is nine years of age (1891). In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Merrell removed to California
and settled in Oakland, where they
have a beautiful and attractive home.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 528, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California
Biography Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library