Alexander was born c. 1814/15 in Pennsylvania, while Margaret Ann was born c. 1819/20 in Ohio. Alexander and Margaret Ann were married on ___________ __, 18__ at ____________, ____________. Nine children are known to have been born to them. They include;
1. Samuel P. Merchant, born c. January __, 1839 in Ohio; served in Co. D of the 51st Illinois during the Civil War; died on ___________ __, 1___ in California and his mortal remains were laid in the Lakeside Cemetery and Mausoleum in Folsom, Sacramento County, California.

2. John Merchant, born August 18, 1841 in Ohio; John served in Co. D of the 51st Illinois and died while in the service on September 9, 1864 at Chicago, Illinois; His mortal remains were returned to Central Illinois where they were laid to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois.

3. George Merchant, born December 25, 1842/43; See his biography below.

4. Mary Merchant, born c. 1845/46 in Ohio.

5. William Merchant, born c. 1848/49 in Ohio.

6. Martha Merchant, born c. 1850 in Ohio.

7. Thomas Merchant, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois; Thomas is found with the family in 1860, but not in 1870. He may have died in the 1860's.

8. James Merchant, born c. 1857/58 in Illinois; James is found with the family up though the 1880 census, but, can not be located after this.

9. Alexander Merchant, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois; Alexander is with the family in 1880 in McLean County, Illinois, but he can not be located after that 1880 census.

At the time of the 1840 Federal Census, Alex Merchant and family are found in Hanover, Beaver County, Pennsylvania;
Alex Merchant
1 male under 5
1 male 20 to 29
1 female 20 to 29

At the time of the 1850 census, the Merchant family is found in Rose, Carroll County, Ohio;
Alex Merchant M 35 Pennsylvania
Ann Merchant F 30 Ohio
Samuel P Merchant M 11 Ohio
John Merchant M 9 Ohio
George Merchant M 7 Ohio
Mary Merchant F 4 Ohio
William Merchant M 1 Ohio

Sometime between 1850 and 1855, the Merchant family came west to Illinois, where at the time of the 1860 census, they are found in Morton Township of Tazewell County, Illinois;
Alexander Merchant M 50 Farmer 500 Pa
Margaret Merchant F 43 Ohio
Samuel Merchant M 21 Carpenter Ohio
John Merchant M 18 Carpenter Ohio
George Merchant M 17 Carpenter Ohio
Mary Merchant F 13 Ohio
William Merchant M 11 Ohio
Martha Merchant F 10 Ohio
Thomas Merchant M 5 Ill
James Merchant M 2 Ill

[NOTE: George Merchant also listed in the 1860 federal census in Deer Creek Township of Tazewell County in the family unit of Thomas Crane. Perhaps he was working on their farm. See below.)

Thomas Crane M 30 Ohio
Emely Crane F 26 N Y
Ada Crane F 5 Ill
Lewis Crane M 4 Ill
Edwin Crane M 2 Ill
Saml Crane M Ill
George Merchant M 16 Ohio

In the early 1860's, during the war, Alexander Merchant moved his family to McLean County, Illinois. At the time of the 1865 census, Alexander Merchant and his family are found in Gridley, McLean County, Illinois. There are seven males and 3 females in his household.

At the time of the 1870 census, the Merchant family is found in Gridley Township, McLean County, Illinois;
Alex Merchant M 58 Pennsylvania
Margaret Merchant F 53 Ohio
George Merchant M 26 Ohio
James Merchant M 12 Illinois
Alex Merchant M 8 Illinois
Ida Brooks F 18 Ohio
George Stockwell M 23 New York

At the time of the 1880 census, the Merchants are found in Gridley, McLean County, Illinois;
Self A. M. Merchant M 70 Pennsylvania
Wife Margaret Merchant F 63 Ohio
Son James Merchant M 23 Illinois
Son Alexander Merchant M Farm Laborer 19 Illinois

Alexander Merchant is believed to have died in the 1880's in McLean County, Illinois. However his mortal remains very likely lie in the Evergreen Cemetery in El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois very near his son, John Merchant.

It is not known when Margaret Ann died, but her mortal remains may very well lie here as well.

by Baxter B. Fite III