Michael Merritt Jr (1864-1923)


Michael Jr married Cecelia Cavanaugh on Sept 9^th, 1886. They have a child Winifred in 1888, and a son Edmond in 1892. In 1900, Michael owns and farms the land in Pioneer Township, Cedar County, where he continues to farm with his son Edmund until his death in 1923. According to his obit, he died on the farm he was born on. 

His daughter Winifred married Leo Crock in 1913, and they have two children, Francis J in 1917 and Mary Rose in 1924. Leo was a farmer. The Crock’s donated the land for the current St Mary’s Church in Mechanicsville, where Winnie played the organ.

His son Edmund married Genevieve Smyth on Jan 29^th, 1924, but she died with his infant daughter on Feb 1^st, 1925. Edmund remarried Fay Burk on Oct 5^th 1927, but died the following year after 4 days of pneumonia. According to his obit, "A large number of friends and neighbors were obliged to remain outside during funeral services as the churches seating capacity was taxed to its utmost". Father Merritt Fairley officiated at the funeral.

Fay was pregnant at the time of Edmund’s death, and later gave birth to a son Edmund Jr, on March 15^th, 1929. According to Edmund Jr’s obit, he was a lifelong invalid, and was tutored by his aunt. He died at the age of 39 in 1969. He and his mother are buried at the Catholic cemetery in Tipton, where they lived with her father and sister.

Micheal and Cecelia Merritt and Edmund and Genevieve and baby are buried in Row 3W in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mechanicsville, IA.