Hiram Merrill

Hiram Merrill
18th Mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin
In office April 1874 – April 1875
Preceded by	James Sutherland
Succeeded by	James W. St. John
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Rock 5th district
In office January 4, 1875 – January 3, 1876
Preceded by	John Winans
Succeeded by	Jere A. Blount
Personal details
Born	(1829-01-14)January 14, 1829 Adams, New York, U.S.
Died	September 5, 1908(1908-09-05) (aged 79) Janesville, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Oak Hill Cemetery, Janesville, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Louise Merrill (died 1921)
Children	Harry Merrill (b. 1859; died 1893) Louise Adele (Wiggin) (b. 1868; died 1954) Jessie Eugenia (Nowlan) (b. 1870; died 1931)

Hiram Merrill (January 14, 1829 – September 5, 1908) was an American businessman and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 18th mayor of Janesville, Wisconsin, and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography

Merrill was born on January 14, 1829, in Adams, New York, and came to what is now Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1837, where his father ran the Traveler's Inn at Walker's Point. Hiram worked in his father's shipyard, then headed west in 1849 for the California gold rush, where he sold water for hydraulic mining. On October 20, 1856, he married Louise Ballard. Merrill and his wife were Episcopalians. They had four children. He died on June 9, 1893.

Career

In 1866 the Merrills settled in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Hiram gained control of the New Gas Light Company. He was elected to the Assembly in 1874, defeating incumbent John Winans, who later became a member of the United States House of Representatives. Other positions Merrill held include Mayor of Janesville. He was an Independent Republican.