This gentleman was my direct line paternal great-grandfather.

In the early 1900s there was an occasion in the local newspaper where they affectionately referred to William as "UNCLE BILL".

1860 OH Census
1900 Indian Territory Census
1910 OK Census
1920 OK Census
1930 CA Census

Obituary:
December 14, 1930

Publication: Miami Daily News-Record
Location: Miami, Oklahoma
Issue Date: Sunday, December 14, 1930
Page: Page 1

W. W. MERRISS SUCCUMBS AT 80
Paralytic Stroke Results in Death of Pioneer Resident at Home Here

William W. Merriss, one of Ottawa county's earliest settlers and a resident of this section for most of his life, died at 6 o'clock Saturday night at his home, 116 F street northeast. Mr. Merriss, who is widely known, especially among the pioneers of this part of the state, was 81 years old. The aged pioneer had been ill for several weeks and his death was not unexpected. A stroke of paralysis was the direct cause of his death. In the early days, before Indian Territory became the state of Oklahoma and when Miami was little more than a trading settlement, Mr. Merriss was a deputy United States marshal who faced the task of being policeman, sheriff and sometimes almost every other official for this part of the territory. He played an important part in the early history both Miami and Ottawa county. Mr. Merriss' wife, Justina Merriss, died about three years ago. No funeral arrangements have been made pending word from relatives living outside Miami. Mr. Merriss is survived by three sons and two daughters. The sons are C. Merriss of Muskogee, John Merriss of Lindsay, Cal., and Elmer Merriss of Miami. The daughters are Mrs. Sarah Rocker of Lindsay and Mrs. Grace Williams of Miami. The Cooper Undertaking company is in charge of the funeral.

December 15, 1930

Publication: Miami Daily News-Record
Location: Miami, Oklahoma
Issue Date: Monday, December 15, 1930
Page: Page 2

Services Held for William Merriss
Funeral services were held at the Friends church this afternoon for William W. Merriss, one of Miami's oldest pioneers, both in point of length of residence. He died Saturday at his home, 116 F street northeast. The Rev. I. L. Zimmerman and the Rev. W. Haworth conducted the service. Burial was at the G. A. R. cemetery.

Family Background:
William was born in Crawford County Ohio to Joseph S. and his first wife, Sarah Walkup Merriss. After his mother's death in 1854, the family lived in Van Wert, Ohio where William attended school. His father served in the Civil War two times, with the war ending in 1865. It wasn't until about 1867 that William's family moved from Ohio to Paola Kansas, where he met Justina. William and Justina Paschal were married in July 1875 in Kansas and began their life together by going first to Texas, where their first child was born. Upon returning to Oklahoma, they settled in the town of Miami in Ottawa County with the Peoria Indian Tribe. At that time Oklahoma was a part of Indian Territory.

Military:
In 1868 William joined Company L of the 19th Kansas Cavalry and served under the command of Gen. George Armstrong Custer in the "Washita Campaign" in the winter of 1868-69. He applied for, and received a pension for his service.

William was commissioned and served as Deputy U.S. Marhsal in Miami, Indian Territory from 1902 to 1907 and effectively held various positions in the Miami city government. Also, he was the first man in Ottawa County to operate a Steam-powered Threshing Machine.

He was well known, a prominent citizen, and greatly respected in the community. His biography, which includes information about his family, appeared in a book entitled History of Indian Territory, written by D. C. Gideon, published in 1901.