My Genealogy Hound

ANDREW J. MERICLE, at one time a captain on a lake vessel running between Buffalo and Chicago; then the owner of a line of vessels in the same trade; later, and now, the proprietor of a large general store in Brocton, at present preparing one of the largest vineyards in the town, is a son of Philip and Selinda (Briggs) Mericle, and was born in the town of Sardinia, Erie county, New York, May 1, 1829. Philip Mericle was a native of Schoharie county, where he was born in the town of Sharon, in 1799. From thence he removed to Erie county, when a young man, and came to Chautauqua county in 1834. He located in the town of Portland, began to farm, and followed that vocation until his death. Being of Dutch extraction he inherited the industry and economy of that race. He married Selinda Briggs in 1828, and had four children, two sons and two daughters: Mr. Mericle was a democrat of the Jeffersonian type, of unquestioned integrity and patriotism. He died in 1858, aged sixty years. His wife was a native of Rhode Island, and living to the advanced age of eighty-four years, died
February 22, 1889.

Andrew Jackson Mericle was reared in the town of Portland, and received the education afforded by its common schools. When but fifteen years of age, he entered a sailing vessel plying the great lakes, and learned to be a sailor. It is unnecessary to recount the hardships the young man had to undergo, but, instead we will record the triumph he achieved. When manhood cast her mantle about his shoulders, he found himself possessed with enough to buy a small vessel. This he assumed command of, carrying freights, and the profits were sufficient to buy other vessels, until he has become the owner of a little fleet, all of which he, excepting one, successively commanded. Mr. Mericle engaged in this traffic until 1879, when he disposed of his shipping, and gave his whole attention to a general mercantile business, which he had established in Brocton, in 1869. The store is a large one, and carries a stock of groceries, boots and shoes, dry goods, clothing and drugs. His trade is immense, and is drawn for miles from the surrounding country. He owns a farm of ninety acres in Portland town, which he is now converting into an immense vineyard.

In December, 1840, Mr. Mericle married Sarah M. Martin, a daughter of Jason Martin, of Portland, who has been his companion for nearly forty years. They are the parents of two children; Jay P. and Frank J.

A. J. Mericle is a democrat, a man of wealth, a shrewd business man and a leading citizen.