“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


R.D. MERRIMAN,  farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Fort Atkinson; born Oct. 14, 
1829, in Litchfield Co., Conn.; born and raised on a farm; received a 
good common-school education.  At an early age, he began working at 
farming; assisted his parents until 1850; then entered the butchering 
business, which he followed till 1857.  Married near his birthplace, Sept. 
22, 1851, Miss Sarah Miller, who was born in Hooky Norton, England, 
in December, 1828; they have four children – Alonzo D., born Nov. 22, 
1853;  Adelbert L., Sept. 9, 1858;  Frank H., April 25, 1860;  Seymour 
A., July 28, 1867.  Mr. Merriman came direct from Connecticut to 
Wisconsin in April, 1857; located temporarily on Koshonong Prairie, 
Dane Co., where his family lived; he worked a farm for a short time; left 
there in November next, and removed to Grand Marsh Township, 
Adams Co., where he bought an unimproved eighty acres of land, which 
he sold at a profit in 1857.  In March, 1859, he and family removed to 
Jefferson Co.; located in Oakland Township, where he worked a farm on 
shares; he bought forty acres of land where he now lives, on which he 
built a new barn and a frame house; in 1869, he made another purchase 
of sixty acres of land; raises the usual crops and stock of the county 
(Durham-grade cattle); makes a specialty of dairying.  Democrat.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel