Merrick Ely
Merrick Ely of Deerfield, O., was a member of the distinguished family of that name, many generations of which have lived in Springfield, Mass.
His father Lewis Ely was a soldier of the Revolution and came to Deerfield in 1799 from Granville, Mass. His mother was Anna Granger Ely.
Merrick Ely married Lovisa Farnum, daughter of Elisha Farnum, a soldier and pensioner of the American Revolution. Her mother was Thankful Day Farnum. Lovisa Farnum was born in Blanford, Mass., and while yet a young girl her parents moved to Deerfield, O. The Elys continued to reside in Deerfield, untilt heir family consisted of a son and four daughters, when, having purchased a farm on what is now Kinsman Road, Mr. Ely concluded in 1834 to occupy it.
The family left Deerfield on July Fourth in a stage coach drawn by four horses, and their household goods in tow wagons; but such was the terrible condition of the roads at this time that it required four horses to draw each wagon and three days to make the journey of 50 miles.
Previous to his marriage Merrick Ely and his brother Lewis Ely kept a store of general merchandise in Deerfield, O. An account-book kept by Mr. Ely, one year, contains the name of Jesse Grant, father of Gen. U.S. Grant, and shows that he was a frequent customer.
This old account-book is now in the possession of Mrs. Louise Johnson Smith, the only granddaughter of Merrick Ely.
With William H. Otis of Cleveland,Mr. Ely took a contract for carrying the U.S. Mail from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, which called him to Washington, D.C., two or three times each year.
He was a major in the state militia, and in much demand on Training Day, a popular event in early times.
The Ely farm was five miles south-east of the Public Square. Mr. Ely did not confine himself exclusively to tilling it, but carried on a business in Cleveland. The road between the two places was a wretched country-road, one of continuous mud-holes; on each side of it were woods. Between Erie street cemetery and the Square was a long stretch of scruboaks.
In 1838 Merrick Ely died suddenly, leaving a wife and four children. He lies in Erie street cemetery.
Mrs. Ely was a patient, forbearing woman, and self-sacrificing to a fault. She was ever considerate of the comfort and happiness of others, and a mother who gave good advice to her children,and impressed upon them the duties and responsibilities of life. In short, she was a noble, Christian woman.
She was a notable cook, and a generous provider. the many neighborhood and church-gatherings which were the only social functions of that day, often met at her house, and it is said that the children were always pleased when she entertained because she invariably passed two kinds of pie with the doughnuts, whereas all other hostesses seemed to think one kind sufficient.
The daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Merrick Ely received good educational advantages and all in their youth were school-teachers. Louisa Ely, m. Luke D. Johnson Lucinda Ely, m. Luke D. Johnson Sarah Ely, m. Isaac Bears
A string of gold beads belonging to Mrs. Lovisa Ely and worn by her for many years is still worn occasionally by her granddaughter Mrs. Charles H. Smith.
From The Pioneer Families of Cleveland 1796-1840, vol. 1 by Gertrude Van Rensselaer Wickham, Evangelical Publishing House, 1914