The John S. Merritt Family

Facts provided by Emma Jean Storment

The Merritt family became established here in the early 1800s, when Mr. and Mrs. John S. Merritt migrated from Mississippi and settled on Old Larissa Road, a short distance west of what now is Jacksonville. They had six children, including Walker Merritt and Brittain Merritt, both of whom settled in the same area.

Walker Merritt and his wife, Emma, joined the Merritts here in 1911, moving from Timpson, Texas. Mrs. Merritt, who was Emma G. Smith, had moved to Texas with her family from Georgia.

The Walker Merritts were the parents of seven children, including Mrs. Lula Waller, deceased, Edwin and Herbert Merritt, both of Jacksonville, Mrs. Grace McElroy of Center, Mrs. Beatrice Talcott and Dewitt Merritt of Houston, and Selwyn Merritt, deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Merritt still reside in their original home on Old Larissa Road and their children are W. T. Merritt and Mrs. Hazel Driver of Houston, and Mrs. Emma Jean Storment of Jacksonville. Mr. Merritt is a retired carpenter, but he left his mark on the face of Jacksonville, having built many dwellings and commercial buildings, including the H. P. Tilley home, Palace Theatre and two adjoining buildings, the Southwestern Electric Service Co. power plant, as well as a theatre, which he later demolished to make way for the three-story building now occupied by Murphy Bros. Furniture Company. He was the first carpenter to work on Nan Travis Memorial Hospital, remodeling a two-story home at the corner of Ragsdale and Nacogdoches streets to be utilized by that institution. Later, this home was moved back on the lot, and Mr. Merritt built the first wing of the hospital.

Mr. Merritt is a Methodist and Mrs. Merritt a Baptist. He is a member of Knights of Pythias and the local Carpenters' Union.

W. T. Merritt, an accountant with T. L. Walker Bearing Co., and his wife, Maynette, reside in Houston and have three sons, Thomas, Lawrence and Robert, and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Emma Jean Storment and her husband, Bill, live in Jacksonville. He owns and operates Cherokee Pump Service, while she owns and operates the Linda Kay Shop.

Mrs. Hazel Driver and daughter, Linda Kay, live in Houston and Mrs. Driver is a buyer for Grocers Supply Company.

Walker Merritt and wife, Emma, who came to Jacksonville from Timpson in 1911.

Edwin S. Merritt and wife, Hattie, are seen in an early photo with their son, W. T., who presently is a Houston accountant.