Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
Biographical sketch of MERRITT SPERRY from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Indiana.
============================================
MERRITT SPERRY
Merritt Sperry, one of the ex-soldiers of the late Civil war, an ex-merchant, and now a justice of the peace for St. Clair county, Michigan, with his residence in Riley township, was born in Jefferson county, New York, September 14, 1835, a son of Schuyler and Nancy Sperry, who were born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1814 and 1815 respectively, and died in 1885 and 1890, leaving five children, viz: Merritt, whose name opens this biographical record; Delilah, Charlotte, William and Alford, deceased. Schuyler Sperry was a farmer by calling, and was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, on which he raised the usual cereals grown in the latitude, together with live stock, of which he marketed large numbers. In politics he was a Republican, but was never an office-seeker, neither was he ever a member of a secret society, but found fellowship within the pale of the Baptist church, in which he was an active worker, while his wife was equally active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Merritt Sperry was reared to farming on his father’s homestead until he was nearly seventeen years of age, when he enlisted, at Watertown, New York, in 1861, in Company A, Thirty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. From New York his regiment was sent to Washington, D. C., where it lay in camp two months, and was then placed in active service and took part in the battles of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, round Oak, Fair Oaks and Round Top. At the last named battle Mr. Sperry was wounded in the heaad, necessitating a surgical operation, which rendered him a cripple for life.
On his return from the war Mr. Sperry engaged in merchandising, and laterin farming, his present occupation. He has been twice married, first to Louisa Montney, who bore him two children, Delia M. and Armada, both still living. Mrs. Louisa Sperry passed away, and Mr. Sperry next married Miss Isadora J. Babett, daughter of James Babett, a farmer from Germany. This marriage has been blessed with one child, George B., born in 1863.
In politics Mr. Sperry was been a Republican almost ever since the party was founded, about 1856, and has been honored by appointment or election to various responsible positions of public trust. For many years he was postmaster at Smith Creek, St. Clair county, was deputy sheriff of the county for fifteen years, has served as town clerk and town treasurer, and for twelve years has filled his present office of justice of peace. Besides his farm in Riley township, Mr. Sperry is the owner of some valuable real estate in Memphis, [Michigan] and all has been secured by his personal good management and persistent industry. The farm is well improved in all respects, and on it he raises all the cereals usual to the latitude and live stock of best grades.
Merritt Sperry is one of the most substantial and useful citizens of Riley township, St. Clair county. He bears an unsullied name, and he and family are respected by every member of the community in which they live. When his disabled condition, incurred in his patriotic defense of his country’s flag, is taken into consideration, it would seem that much more than ordinary praise should be awarded him for his success in all the undertakings in which he has had a part since his return to civil pursuits.
============================================
PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the SPERRY surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community. Therefore, please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above. Thank you.
Followups:No followups yet |
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/mi/saintclair/messages/62.html | ||
 |
Agreement of Use Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|