DR. N. P. MERRIT, physician, Wabash, was born December 20, 1826, in Breckinridge County, Ky. His father was the celebrated Dr. John W. Merrit, a native of Virginia. He died in Sullivan, Ind. He received his medical education in St. Louis, Mo., in 1831, following his profession in Illinois, Kentucky, and Indianapolic, Ind. It may be said with truth that Dr. John W. Merrit was one of the most noted physicians in his day, making chronic diseases a specialty.
The grandfather of our subject was Nathaniel P. Merrit, a native of South Carolina and a farmer by occupation. He died in Seymour, Jackson County, Ind.
The great grandfather of Dr. Merrit was Stephen Merrit, who emigrated from South Carolina to Tennessee, where he farmed with success.
Dr. Merrit's mother was Lucretia (Pyle) Merrit, a native of Maryland. She died in 1838, in Illinois. She was a daughter of Col. William Pyle, a native of Scotland, as was also his wife. Col. Pyle was an officer on George Washington's staff in the Revolutionary war. In one of the many engagements in which he participated, he had his queue shot off, and for many years the lock of hair was kept as a relic in the Pyle family.
Mrs. Lucretia Pyle was the mother of eight children, of whom our subject is the only one living. He was educated in Shelbyville, Ky., receiving his medical education in Indianapolis, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1877. The Doctor followed his profession in Greene County, Ind., and in Wayne County, to which he came in 1871, enjoying a large practice and the esteem of the people in the surrounding counties, especially in Edwards County. In the summer of 1864, when the war cloud was hanging over this beautiful country, Dr. Merrit offered his services, and was appointed Assistant Surgeon, by Gov. Morton, to the Thirty first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, staying with the regiment till December 8, 1865, when it was mustered out in Victoria, Texas, after which he returned home and resumed the practice of his noble profession having enriched his experience by his army service.
The Doctor was married twice. His first wife, Eliza Cheneoworth, died, leaving five children. viz.
The Doctor's present wife, Nellie (Nicholson) Merritt, born March 27, 1845, in Kentucky, is the daughter of Ludwick and Paulina (Warmouth) Nicholson.Three chidren are the result of this happy union, viz.;
The Doctor is an I.O.O.F., Opell Lodge, No 99. He is a Republican and served the people in the capacity of Township Supervisor.
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