Adams, Merkley, Zach: Edgar Merkley Biographical Sketch from History of Sac County, Iowa

By William H. Hart
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families 1914 B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY. Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana

EDGAR C. MERKLEY. Page 557

A farmer of today should be the most contented man in the country, since he is the only one who lives an independent career. Every other profession looks to the farmer for support and as long as the farmer is successful the country at large is prosperous. If the farmers of the United States should go on a strike and for one year refuse to raise any crops, a panic would sweep across this country which would totally demoralize every other business. In fact, it is the farmer who makes it possible for the banker, the manufacturer, the lawyer and even the minister, to live, and without the noble occupation of farming this country could not exist.

Edgar C. Merkley, a prosperous farmer of Eden township, Sac county, Iowa, was born March 28, 1861, in Ontario, Canada. His parents were William and Elizabeth ( Castleman ) Merkley. William Merkley was born in 1833 in Canada, where he is now living. His wife also was a native of Canada, born in 1836, and to the union of Mr. and Mrs. William Merkley were born the following children: Mrs. Eva Whittaker, who is in Canada; Mrs. Ella Castleman and Mrs. Lucy Castleman, both now residing in the state of California: Aden, also of California: Mrs. Sarah Whittaker, of Canada, and Edgar C, whose history is herewith presented.

Edgar C. Merklev was reared and educated in the schools of Canada, came to Sac Countv when he was twenty-two years of age, and in 1884 he moved to Eden township, where he has since resided. He has bought land from time to time in this township until he is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres in sections 20 and 30 of this township. His annual output of stock includes ninety head of cattle. One hundred head of hogs and twenty head of horses. He is the owner of a Percheron stallion and is a breeder of Percheron horses. Edgar has a modern and attractive home and good buildings of all kinds on his farm, his place being well improved in every way.

Mr. Merkley was married January 17, 1885, to Matilda Wiley, a native of Canada, and to this marriage have been born seven children, six sons and one daughter: Merle, of Eden township: Isaac, who is in Minnesota: Mrs. Stella Adams, whose husband is a farmer of this township ; Loren, Ross, Vernon and Glen, the last four named being still with their parents at home.

Politically, Mr. Merkley is a Democrat, while all the family are loyal and consistent members of the Lutheran church. In his fraternal relations he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Merkley is a man who always takes an interest in the welfare of his community and identifies himself with such enterprises as have for their object the bettering of the community in which he lives, and is regarded by all who know him with honor and esteem.

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