My Genealogy Hound

I. MERCHANT, City Engineer, Bloomington; son of Daniel P. and Ann E. (Cary) Merchant; was born in Morris Co., N. J., Feb. 13, 1837, where he obtained a good education, including a knowledge of civil engineering, and early in life entered upon that profession with the North Missouri Railroad Company, where he continued for a time; thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was engaged upon the Cuyahoga River, and from 1857 to 1861, upon the Rockford & Rock Island Railroad in charge of construction. During the late war, he enlisted with the 28th I. V. I.; went out as Orderly Sergeant, and, after the battle of Fort Donelson, was promoted to Second Lieutenant, which position he held until after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, when he was promoted to First Lieutenant; at the battle of Hatchie, he received a wound which disabled him from further duty, although he remained with the army until September, 1863; he then returned to Illinois, locating in Springfield, where he was elected County Surveyor, and served two years; after this, he was employed on the survey of what is known as the “Sullivant Lands” of Ford and Livingston Co.’s, Ill.; he came to Bloomington in 1868, since which time he has served either as City Engineer or City Surveyor; having diligently applied himself to his profession for many years, he has justly won the name of being very able in his profession, and being social and genial, has won the respect and high esteem of all who know him. He married Miss Mary, daughter of Francis Arenz, of Cass Co., Feb. 14, 1860; they have one child— Ella K.