Henry Clay Merriam (1879 - 1955)

Born 17 Dec 1879 in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Bessie Charlotte (Ray) Merriam — married about 30 Aug 1900 in Manila, Philippines

Died 28 May 1955 at age 75 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States

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Biography

• Henry Clay Merriam was born in Nebraska in 1879. He married Bessie Charlotte Ray in 1900. Henry Clay Merriam died in San Francisco, California, in 1955 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (Plot: OS 142, 5).

• Warning: Potential confusion for this particular name!!

BIRTH:

According to this source, Henry Clay Merriam was born December 17, 1879 at Fort Omaha, Nebraska. Also gives detail on his marriage to Bessie Charlotte Ray. ^[1]

PROFESSION:

See 1900 & 1920 Census sources that give his duty station and rank.

MARRIAGE:

See birth record; includes detail on the following marriage.

The Book of Maine Families source indicates that this Henry Clay Marriam married Bessie Charlotte Ray, August 30, 1900, in Manila Philippines.

In 1913 this person at the then rank of Captain, US Army, Henry Clay Merriam and his wife, Bessie went thru divorce proceedings in San Francisco that to a degree were chronicled in a Honolulu, Hawaii newspaper article. It is unknown to this writer, as of 1-30-22, what the final outcome of those proceedings was.^[2]

An in-depth newspaper article covering the start of the divorce proceedings. Henry accuses his wife Bessie have having affairs in his absence while stationed away from home.^[3]

An even more in-depth newpaper article about the divorce proceedings tell us the following testimony of Mrs. Bessie (Ray) Merriam..."I first married Capt. Merriam in Alexandria, VA., August 15, 1898...it was a secret marriage and later a second a public ceremony was performed in Manila, August 29, 1900."^[4]

However, see his spouse's (Ruth Charlotte Ray) death certificate source that says when she died in 1953 she was married and her spouse was Henry Clay Merriam So it appears as though they never divorced.

MILITARY TYPE RECORDS:

See 1900 & 1920 census sources showing this person's army stations at the time.

CENSUS'

The 1900 US Census of Luzon, Philipines, U.S. Armed Forces, 159th Manilla Light Battery D, 6th Artillery, finds this Henry C. Merriam at the age of 21, and given as born in Nebraska in December of 1879.

The 1910 US Census of New Orleans, Orleans Louisiana finds this Henry C Merriam at the age of 40yrs old and given as born in Nebraska and married for 10yrs. It says he is living in Jackson Barracks line 1-100. Does not give his rank. His wife does not appear in this census.^[5]

A different US Census of New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana finds this Henry C. Merriam listed as a soldier in the U.S. Army, 40yrs old and born in Nebrasks. He is living there in New Orleans on what appears to be "Deling" or "Diling St, with his 27yr old wife, Bessie C. and their 7yr old daughter, Charlotte.^[6]

The 1920 US Census of the Army & Navy Club, Washington D.C., 17th and Eye St., finds this Henry Clay Merriam at the age of 40yrs old and given as an officer in the U.S. Army, born in Nebraska.^[7]

DEATH:

Find a Grave, database and images^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine, by Henry Sweetser Burrage, Albert Roscoe Stubbs (Unknown at present, Lewis Historical Pub. Co, 1909), pp. 196 (includes military photo).
2. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/290416340/?terms=%22Henry%20McPherson%20Merriam%22&match=1 Honolulu Star; Honolulu Hawaii; pub. May 13, 1913; pg 1.
3. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/460623102/?terms=Lewis%20Merriam&match=1 The San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, California; pub April 30, 1913; pg. 7.
4. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/82709702/?terms=Lewis%20Merriam&match=1 The San Francisco Examiner; San Francisco, California; pub. May 6, 1913; pg. 1 & 2.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRK9-QM9?cc=1727033&wc=QZZ4-KLZ%3A133638601%2C134935101%2C139190901%2C1589089541 : 11 November 2015), Louisiana > Orleans > New Orleans Ward 9 > ED 147 > image 34 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRK9-QM9?cc=1727033&wc=QZZ4-KLZ%3A133638601%2C134935101%2C139190901%2C1589089541 : 11 November 2015), Louisiana > Orleans > New Orleans Ward 9 > ED 147 > image 34 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R6D-CXH?cc=1488411&wc=QZJP-8HG%3A1036474401%2C1036474402%2C1036476301%2C1589332721 : 10 September 2019), District of Columbia > Washington > Washington > ED 70 > image 20 of 45; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
8. ↑ (www.findagrave.com/memorial/3535796/henry-clay-merriam : accessed 15 August 2021), memorial page for Henry Clay Merriam (17 Dec 1879–28 May 1955), Find a Grave Memorial ID 3535796, citing San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA ; Maintained by Johnny Wesch (contributor 47193856).