ELGIN NATIONAL GUARDS. A MILITARY COMPANY ASSIGNED TO THE THIRD REGIMENT ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS, SEPTEMBER 6, 1877; ENROLLED JULY 23, 1877; MUSTERED INTO THE STATE SERVICE AUGUST 15, 1877, AURORA LIGHT GUARDS WERE MUSTERED INTO STATE SERVICE UNDER THE NEW STATE MILITIA LAW, JULY, 1877, as Coм He was born in Castleton, Vermont, August 29th, 1851. He continued a resident of the Green Mountain State until he had attained his majority. It was in the University of Vermont, at Burlington, that he received his education-the education which, allied to his native strength of mind, fitted him so well for thinking clearly and for being so apt, with speech and pen, in setting forth his always philosophical views on vital questions, in all departments. In the Summer of 1872, he came West to Chicago, where he remained for some time, fruitlessly seeking employment. While in the great city of the West, he was prostrated by a severe illness, from which he recovered, to find the gaunt figure of poverty staring at him with a hungry look. Scarcely able to perform physical labor, het obtained a position as an assistant at the Elgin Insane Asylum. Soon after, Mr. E. Dunning became acquainted with him, and secured his services as a teacher for the Adams School. Mr. Merrill continued in St. Charles for nearly a year, during which time he was employed in the capacity of assistant at the West Side School and in the performance of various other duties. From the Autumn of 1873 until the Spring of 1875, he taught the Cornton public school, and while performing his duties as a teacher, took a prominent part in the literary doings of the town. On the expiration of his engagement at Cornton, he came to St. Charles again, and went into the employ of the Leader, filling the position of assistant editor, and continued to discharge his duties as such until the middle of November, when he engaged to teach the Herrington School, west of Geneva. Early in 1876, he was tendered a position in the map business of Messrs. Everts & Co., of Philadelphia, and assigned to the historical department. In the Fall he again returned to this neighborhood and took an agency as a canvasser for Johnson's Cyclopedia. Since that time he has taught school, and been engaged in different pursuits. In November last, his services were obtained by Messrs. Le Baron, Jr., & Co., to write their history of Kane County. He had just completed this work and gone into Chicago to settle up, and to engage for new territory when he was taken sick. Mr. Clark, a fellow employe, engaged a room at the Hotel, procured the services of a physician, and a medical student was detailed to administer the medicine. But all of no avail; the Grim Summoner was beckoning to him from the land of the Hereafter. When he undertook his journey to Chicago, diphtheria had set in, and no agency could stop its fatal development. And on Friday afternoon, February 8th, at 4 o'clock, he breathed his last. Although no relatives were with him in his last hours, to care for him with a relative's regard, a kind, considerate, noble man, Mr. E. E. Robinson, an employe of Le Baron & Co., was detailed to care for him, who attended him devotedly, until death made care no longer necessary. Mr. Merrill was a man of noble, generous impulses; a clear, strong thinker, and brave in expressing his thoughts to the last degree. He was a man of immense will and great individuality. He impressed that individuality, to a great extent, upon his associates. He was a leader in the field of thought. Where he was best known, he was best loved. Arthur Merrill has left scores of good and true friends behind him, who will cherish his memory tenderly, lovingly, as long as life is left to them-friends who will embalm that memory in their hearts as a beautiful, evergreen, unfading flower. H. N. WHEELER. ERRATA. The following sketches were too late for insertion in their respective townships: INGRAM, EVAN, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Big Rock; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $60 per acre; Rep.; Cong.; born Feb. 1, 1828, in Montgomeryshire, Wales; married Elizabeth James, Sept. 29, 1852, in Utica, N. Y.; she was born April 7, 1825, in Montgomeryshire, Wales; had four children, three living-Margaret (now Mrs. Edwards), Edward and John T., all born in this township; Mrs. Ingram died Dec. 6, 1867; Mr. Ingram married his second wife, Ann P. Evans, June 17, 1876; she was born April 23, 1832, in Derbyshire, Wales; Mr. Ingram emigrated to the United States in June, 1851; lived in New York about eighteen months; thence to Kane Co., in November, 1852. PIERCE, EDWARD, farmer, Sec. 34; P. Ó. Big Rock; Rep.; Cong.; owns 270 acres of land, worth $50 per acre; born in Big Rock, June 30, 1836; married Mary, daughter of James J. and Susannah Davis; she was born in Ohio, May 30, 1847; came to this State with her parents the same year; have three children living, the eldest, John J., being dead-Milo Martin and Millie Mary (twins), born Oct. 20, 1870; Susie, born Jan. 28, 1876; Mrs. Pierce received the first premium ($100) at the State Fair, in Chicago, in 1865, for the best equestrianship. seven riders entering for the contest; she rode without saddle, using a plaid saddle-cloth instead; Mr. Pierce enlisted as a private, in 1861, in the 36th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served three years; re-enlisted as a veteran, and served fourteen months longer; was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge; was in the campaign against Atlanta, also at the battles of Franklin and Nashville—in all, thirty battles; after the surrender of Lee, he went with the regiment to New Orleans; remained there until November, when the regiment was mustered out; held the office of Road Commissioner four years. |