Another Pioneer Gone

Nelson Merkley Sr., one of the oldest and best known citizens of this county, died at his home Tuesday morning January 21st at 1 o'clock from pneumonia caused from exposure to the cold while walking home from the coal mines west of the valley, on New Year's Day. He rode up to the mines on one of the coal teams and stayed in one of them, working until all the teams had left the mines and rather than stay over night he walked home a distance of eight miles.

The fatigue and cold weathr were too much for the old gentleman and pneumonia set in. He has lingered along for almost three weeks but finally succumbed to the disease, At the first he would not let the family doctor his ailments saying all the time that he wasn't sick and didn't need any remedies, but later permitted care but the disease had gotten a good hold.

Nelson Merkley was born near Montreal, Canada, on the St. Lawrence River, November 11th, 1828. While young the family came down into the United States stopping for some time in New York. They met with some of the elders of the Latter-Day Saints Church and being converted went to Nauvoo, the gathering place of the Saints. Here Brother Merkely assisted in the erection of the temple with the Prophet Joseph Smith and others.

He crossed the plains from Illinois to Utah in 1948 with the ox team train, bringing his mother and all the family but his father who remained behind a year. From this time on till this valley was well settled he was constantly on the frontier. After reaching Salt Lake valley he lived in the north canyon above Bountiful when the people lived on sego roots and thistle roots.

He was married to Sarah Jane Sanders, who now survives him, in 1856 and immediately answered a call from Brigham Young to go and start a colony in Carson Valley, Nevada. While his home was there he was engaged in packing supplies and merchandise over the mountains from Sacramento, California to Carson, at the time Johnson's Army came to Utah. All the people at Carson were called home and Brother Merkley served as soldier guarding the entrances to the valley until the saints moved south, he going with them. A little later, when peace was restored he returned to Salt Lake and soon after in 1869 moved to Cedar Fort, Utah County. In 1881 he with his wife and part of his family came to this valley where the older boys and one daughter had previously come. Father Merkley was soon known to all the residents of the place.

The characteristics of Father Merkley are noticeable in the thrift and industry of his family. He would say, "Boys work while you work and play while you play. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." and following this plan out has made the family well to do. Father Merkley has recently had valuable financial holdings in Salt Lake and has left some valuable property in Vernal, to this family. Father Merkley was the father of thirteen cxhildren, twelve of whom survive him, eight sons and four daughters.

Funeral services were held Thursday at 12 o'clock, largely attended and the body was laid to rest in the Vernal cemetery.

-Vernal Express, January 25, 1902, transcribed by Rhonda Holton

Nelson Merley was the son of Sarah Davis Merkley and Christopher Merkley.

He married Sarah Jane Sanders March 25, 1856 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah.

To this union were born: Nelson Merkley Jr., George Davis Merkley, Sarah Jane Merkley, Susan Maria Merkley, Christopher Ellis Merkley, Mary Merkley, Charles Albert Merkley, Elizabeth Merkley, John Merkley, Henry (Hank) Davis Merkley, William S. Merkley, Rachel Ellen Merkley and Jacob Merkley.