52 Ancestors 52 Weeks - Week 22

Merrill Harris Alexander

Merrill was born September 11, 1909, in Jennings County, Indiana. He was the 3rd child and first son born to William Hayes and Olive Ellen Martin Alexander. He is also my Grand-Uncle.

Merrill married Bertha Bernice Killion on the 28th of July, 1928, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. They lived in Seymour, Indiana and worked at the local shoe factory.

The marriage produced one daughter, Bonnie Lou Alexander, which I have written about here.

The only census that he showed up in as an adult, is the 1930 US Census. In it, he is living at 722 Euclid Avenue in Seymour, Indiana. In the house is himself listed as 'Merle', 20, his wife, Bertha, 19, and daughter Bonnie L., 8 months old. His occupation is Cutter at the Shoe Factory. Bertha is no longer working. They are living down the street from his parents.

Merrill died on the 6th of December in 1931. His cause of death was a ruptured appendix. It was a shocking death to the whole family. He was only 22 years old. He was buried in Riverview Cemetery where most of his family would later join him. His daughter was only 2. Bertha would later remarry, but I will deal with that later.

His Obituary:

"M. H. ALEXANDER CALLED BY DEATH

Local Man Passes Away Following Illness of About One Month.

Merrill Harris Alexander, age twenty-two, 708 Centennial street, died late Friday following an illness of about five weeks. He suffered a ruptured appendix some time ago and his death was due to complications.

Merrill was born September 11, 1909, in Jennings county, the son of William H. and Ollie Alexander. He had lived in this county about 17 years and was employed as a shoe cutter.

He was married at Jeffersonville July 28, 1928, to Miss Bertha Bernice Killion, who survives. he was a member of the Red Men lodge and of the branch order of the Haymakers.

Besides the widow, he is survived by the mother: one daughter, Bonny Lou Alexander; one brother, William Harold Alexander, at home, and five sisters, Norma, Opal and Lucille, all at home; Mrs. Jimmie Jaynes, this city, and Mrs. Gladys Mails, of Los Angeles, Calif. A number of other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon from the home and at 2 o'clock from the First Baptist Church with the Rev. A.A. Cohn, pastor, in charge. The Red Men lodge will conduct services."

My grandmother, his older sister, remembered him fondly. He did not get a chance to make a lot of memories as an adult. He was just beginning.

Sources:

Birth: Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA; Ancestry.com.

Marriage: Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

1930 US Census; 1930; Census Place: Seymour, Jackson, Indiana; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0010; Ancestry.com.

Death: Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com.

Obituary: Seymour Tribune; Seymour, Indiana; Saturday, November 7, 1931; Page 1.

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