----Source: COLBY PHONOGRAPH (Colby, Wis.) 08/16/1917

Merwin, Ben P. Sr. (18 Jan 1852 - 29 Jul 1917)

Of the few remaining pioneers of this community, another was called to the great beyond by the death of Ben Merwin, Sr., which occurred on Sunday, July 29, 1917.

Ben Pierce Merwin was born near Meadeville, Pa., on Jan. 18, 1852. When several years old he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, locating at Stevens Point. While living here his father was appointed surveyor of Marathon County, which at that time extended to Stevens Point. Shortly before the Civil War broke out the family moved to Madison, where the father and older brother enlisted, leaving Ben and his mother to take care of themselves and four small children. After the war the family moved to Grand Rapids and while living there Ben learned to drive logs on the river. He drove logs on many of the rivers in the state and while engaged in that trade saved several persons from death by drowning.

In 1872 the family moved to Marathon Co., where Ben took up a homestead six miles east of Abbotsford, which he has held and made his home since. He was married to Emily Swan on April 21, 1878. At the time of taking his homestead the country was a wilderness and besides making a farm of his own he helped many of his neighbors in doing the same.

In the fall of 1916 he joined the Presbyterian Church and in December of the same year was given the Lord's Supper by Rev. Leonard Calvert, since which time he has been living quietly and peacefully awaiting the end, which he knew was inevitable.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, five sons, Roy and Ernest of Bruno, Sask., Canada, Ben and Howard of the town of Holton, Arthur of Grand Rapids, and three daughters, Mrs. Maryette Ouimette, Ina and Rosalie of the town of Holton.