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| #53 William Conners, #54 Martin Young, # 72 Merle Richardson |
#72 Private Merle Richardson
A native of Defiance City, Merle was found in the 1880 census with his parents, John E. and Rosetta (Bowdle), 48 and 38 respectively. His father worked as a carpenter and his mother as a seamstress, and the house was full of children. Frank Merle, born on January 7, 1879, was enumerated as one year old, along with Ophelia -18, James -12, George -10, and Leroy - 4.
The young 19 year old Merle enlisted in Company M in 1898, and in July, he sent a letter home to his parents describing his experiences. It was published on July 7, 1898, in the Defiance Daily Crescent:
"Dear Mother and All the Rest:
I am on the sick list today, so I can write you a few lines, although I don't feel like sitting up very long. I received your letter the other day, yesterday and last night received one from Jennie. I was very glad to hear from you both.
Well, last Tuesday our company was on guard duty. I was on four times in twenty-four hours. That means two hours at a time. Oh, oh, but my shoulders did ache and the next day every joint in my body ached. You know on picket duty we dare not sit down or stop walking. Just ask dad about it. He can tell you. Of course, it was my first experience and perhaps I felt it a great deal more than I will the next time.
There was a negro in the guard house that day. He got away and caused us all kinds of trouble. We were ordered to tie him up. He then drew a knife and swore at us worse than I ever heard before. If it had not been for Harry Lewis, our lieutenant, we would have hung him to a tree, as we had the rope with the noose, also had him in hands. Since it is all over, I am glad we did not hang him, but mother, at that time, we were too much enraged to stop and think. He was drummed out of camp soon after and disfranchised, that means that he is no longer an American citizen. Two others went the same way the next day.
I am so hsppy that I passed the examination without a criticism or having to undress. I will tell you what they said.
'What is your name?'
How old are you?
Was you examined in Defiance?
Have you the consent of your parents?'
I answered them to their satisfaction and that was all.
I run right out to my comrades and turned on a handspring in the air.
I tell you, mother, I, like a great many others in the company, almost love dear old Captain Crandall. You should not fear for me while I am with such a man as he is.
My heart thrills with rapture at the sound of our sunrises and sunsets, and I am so anxious to get to Chickamauga, where army life is more like the real thing. Two of the flunkers were my mess mates, which I could not help. They were very lazy and would not clean up anything, not even their own dishes, and in that way, we could not keep things in shape and like we wished to, but now that they have gone, we have commenced to brighten up. We took Howard McCauley in our mens place. You know he is so fat that he takes the room of two, but he is full of fun that we just have a circus every night after taps.
Last night for supper we had boiled ham, chicken, scrambled egg, bread, butter, and coffee, and this morning, I had one half cup of coffee, as I was sick and did not care for anything else.
No mama, you need not send me a __ as I prefer to get used to sleeping any old way, because we may sometime have to do so. Now as soon as you can, I want you to take that trip to Ories and stay as long as possible. Now do this for my sake, and please do not worry about me, because your health is poor enough without worrying and you must live to welcome me home again, as I shall surely come home if God permits.
Well, I am unable to write more this time, so I will close. Give my love to all the relatives and regards ...to our friends. Write soon and have Alice write some too. Anybody write just so you can write a long letter. Good-bye and a kiss.
From your loving son,
Merle Richardson"
His mother lived till April 1902 when she died at the home of her daughter.
After Merle came home in 1899, he began work at the Ross Hotel in Deshler as a day clerk. On October 19, 1904, he married Edna Ethel Conley. They were married at Fostoria, Ohio, as reported in the Defiance Daily Crescent on October 24:
"The following from a Fostoria paper tells of the marriage of Merle Richardson and Edna Conley, formerly of this city. At the home of Mr. & Mrs. A.E. Torrence on West Fremont Street, yesterday afternoon at three o'clock occurred the wedding of Miss Edna Conley, a sister of Mrs. Torrence, to Mr. Merle Richardson, of Toledo, the Rev. E. D. Smith officiating.
The house was beautifully decorated with autumn leaves, ferns, fitting in keeping with the quiet beautiful wedding.
Mr. and Mrs. Richardson accompanied by her father, I. C. Conley, her brothers, A.B. and Will left via the B.& O. for Chicago Junction, where they were entertained at a wedding feast by Mrs. Clyde Hurst, a sister of the bride.
Mrs. Richardson is the youngest daughter of the family, a resident of this city and will be greatly missed in her home as well as among her associates, all of whom wish for her the unbounded happiness of which she is worthy,and extend congratulations to the groom in his good fortune in capturing one of the most worthy young ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson will be at home in Toledo."
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| Defiance, 1915 |
Merle Richardson was only 36 when he died unexpectedly at his home in Fremont, Ohio. His wife died in 1907, and there were no children. His sisters, Orphelia Strumm and Alice Lantow attended to the burial.
He was buried in Fountain Cemetery, Fostoria, Hancock County where his wife rested.
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