Charles Merrill (businessman)
| Charles Merrill | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 3, 1792 Falmouth, Maine |
| Died | December 28, 1872 (aged 80) Detroit, Michigan |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Known for | Lumber business |
| Political party | Whig then Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Pitts |
| Children | Elizabeth "Lizzie" Merrill Palmer |
Charles Merrill (January 3, 1792 – December 28, 1872) was an American entrepreneur who owned mercantile, construction, real estate, and lumber companies in Maine, Virginia, and Michigan.
Charles Merrill was born in Falmouth, Maine on January 3, 1792. He was the seventh of the children of General James Merrill - who was of the principal citizens of Falmouth. Merrill spent his earlier years on his father's farm and obtained an education attending the common school during the winter.
When he became of age, he moved to nearby Portland, Maine and in partnership with his brother and a Mr. Scott engaged in mercantile business under the firm of S & C Merrill & Company. The business proved unsuccessful and heavy debts were incurred. Once the firm was dissolved, Merrill moved to Virginia, where he took a subcontract on a railroad leading from Petersburg, which then in progress of construction. He was successful in this new business venture and made enough money to pay off the debts he had incurred in his previous business in Portland. After returning to Portland, he took a contract building a military road from Lincoln, Maine to Houlton, Maine. The building of this road, and the familiarity it gave him with lands and localities, caused him to become a large investor in the area's real estate from 1835 to 1840.
His company subsequently pushed their enterprises to Michigan. Beginning in 1836, he made large investments in Michigan with then ex-Governor Abner Coburn. Their purchases were located on the Black River in St. Clair County. When the panic of 1837 came, his Maine partners proposed to withdraw from the joint ownership of lands on condition that Merrill would assume and pay all the indebtedness upon them. He accepted and in order to facilitate his care of these lands, he moved from Portland to Lincoln. For eleven years he was engaged in lumbering his lands.
...
Wikipedia