My Genealogy Hound

F. T. MERRIAM, a prominent manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, at Falconer, N. Y., is a son of Levi T. and Susan (Benson) Merriam, and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, March 10, 1850. The Merriams are active, energetic and aggressive business men and trace their lineage to New England. The paternal grandfather, Abel Merriam, was a native of Massachusetts and came from there to Chautauqua county about 1820. The greater portion of his after life was spent there — a short time only being given to a sojourn in Pennsylvania. He followed farming at which he made money and accumulated some property, and early realizing that free education is the basis of our National freedom, he interested himself largely in its behalf, giving generously of his time and means. Mr. Merriam was a whig and evolution naturally changed him to a republican. He was at one time a member of the Baptist church, and while always a believer in the theory and practice of true Christianity it is believed that he relinquished his church membership before he died. The Masonic fraternity numbered him among its membership and he attained some prominence in the order. Abel Merriam married and became the father of six children, four sons and two daughters. Saxon Benson (maternal grandfather) was a native of New England. He emigrated to the Empire State where he followed his trade and died. Levi T. Merriam (father) developed a remarkable faculty for business. He was born in the Bay State about 1807, was reared on a farm and taught the lessons of youth at the common schools. Upon attaining his fifteenth year he was put to work in a planing-mill and soon showed a remarkable aptitude for the work. Having learned the mechanical business connected with manufacturing sash, doors and blinds, he came to Jamestown in 1820 and later entered the employ of a company doing similar work. He was advanced in his positions until he had charge of the works and continued with the firm until 1853 when he moved to Falconer and established a sash, door and blind factory which he conducted until 1873 when he died and was succeeded by his son, F. T. Merriam. He was a republican, radical and aggressive, and while never anxious for political preferment he was active in all his party’s campaigns. He belonged to the I. O. O. F., and was a prudent, energetic, methodical and pushing business man, accumulating considerable property. His views upon public matters were liberal and progressive. He married Susan Benson about 1848 and reared seven children, four boys and three girls, six of whom are still living: L. E., is working in the mill; Frank O., is in business at Erie, Pa.; H. F., is at the mill; Florence J. is the wife of William Comic, of Jamestown; Lilla M. and F. T.

F. T. Merriam spent his childhood and youth in Jamestown and the town of Westfield and having acquired a good common school and business education came to Falconer and engaged in the service of his father, until the father’s death when he succeeded to the business. The mills employ about fifty men and the value of the output is about $100,000 per year and their shipments are largely east and south.

In 1875 he married Lorinda Seeley, a daughter of Jeremiah Seeley, of Gerry, and they have had three children, two of whom are dead: Susan Hazel, born in 1886, is living.

F. T. Merriam is a republican, a member of the Equitable Aid Union, and has been prominently identified with securing improved educational methods for his village. Having been at one time a teacher he knows the short-comings of the old system and has made many practical suggestions for improvement.