Obituary from The Ogden Reporter, Ogden, Iowa
January 3, 1924

PROMINENT VETERINERIAN PASSED AWAY WEDNESDAY
Doctor E. L. Merriam Victim of Double Pneumonia

The death of Dr. E. L. Merriam, who passed away at his home in this city on Wednesday morning, January 2, has brought the bitter cup of sorrow to the lips of his many friends and relatives. His was a heart of gold. He was one of nature's noblemen in its truest sense.....brave, generous, and manly. He was the soul of honor, and his friends and friendships were sacred to him. There was a daily beauty about his life which won every heart. In temperament, he was firm yet conciliatory and candid. He had a noticeable affection for animals, and children always found a friend in him. He was a kind and loving father, never being known to refuse when possible to give. He was what is termed as a "self-made man," not being able to attend school like other boys, he gained his education after work by candle light by reading and studying what others had discarded.

Dr. E.L. Merriam was born in Kickapoo, Kansas, March 22, 1859, being 64 years, 9 months and 10 days at the time of his passing. He had been sick the past month but was only confined to his bed for twelve days. During which time he suffered untold agony, making a hard and desperate fight for life but knowing death was near, he called the family to his bedside and told them of his business and to prepare his clothing in which he was to be laid out in.

Dr. Merriam was united in marriage to Mary Edith Van Meter at Morrison, Illinois, on January 19, 1880, and had he lived until the 19th of this month he would have celebrated his 44th wedding anniversary. This respected couple located in Ogden 33 years ago last fall, and to them were born twelve children, one dying in infancy, the others, five boys and six girls, being all present at the time of his passing. The children are: Mrs. George Sparks of Ames; Mrs. Charles Nelson of Stratford; Edith and Isabelle at home; Mrs. Detlef Hensen and Mrs. J. C. Lamb of Ogden; Wilbur and Edward of Mitchell, South Dakota; Emery, Melvin and Ortiz of Ogden. Besides his family, eleven grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Lucia Allen of Roseville, California; and Mrs. Eunice Todd of St. Rose, California; a host of friends mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be held from the home at 1:30 o'clock Friday and 2:00 o'clock at the Methodist Church, Rev. Brodie of Boone having charge of the services, assisted by Rev. C. W. Hohenshelt. Interment will be in Glenwood.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the relatives and dear ones in their dark hours of sorrow.