Editing John Abercrombie Merritt

{{Infobox Biography
| subject_name   =John Abercrombie Merritt
| image_name     =
| image_size     =200px
| image_caption  =
| date_of_birth  =[[March 16]], [[1864]]
| place_of_birth =Russell County, Alabama
| date_of_death  =[[January 29]], [[1937]]
| place_of_death =Pensacola
| occupation     =Shipbroker, businessman
| religion       =Presbyterian
| spouse         =[[Mary Turner Merritt]]
| parents        =[[Lucius Manlius Merritt|Louis M.]] and [[Elizabeth McGaughy Merritt|Elizabeth Merritt]]
| children       =Mary Elizabeth Merritt<br/>Emma Turner Merritt<br/>John A. Merritt, Jr.<br/>Doris W. Merritt<br/>Richard H. Merritt
| signature      =
| signaturesize  =
}}
'''John Abercrombie Merritt''' was a shipbroker and businessman.

==Early life==
Merritt was born in Russell County, Alabama, in [[1864]]. His father, [[Lucius Manlius Merritt]], was away in England seeking supplies for the Confederacy. The Merritt family came to Pensacola in July [[1869]] aboard the ship ''Mine Lizzie''.<ref name="stjohns">[http://www.stjohnshistoriccemetery.com/pensacolas_heritages/business.htm#john_a_merritt St. John's Historic Cemetery]</ref>

The young Merritt was educated first in local schools, then at University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and the Bingham School in Mebane, North Carolina.<ref>Florida Historical Society. [http://books.google.com/books?id=yDo6VhLx6fEC&pg=PA313 ''Makers of America: An Historical and Biographical Work By an Able Corps of Writers'']. Jacksonville, 1909.</ref>

In [[1880]], Merritt's father arranged for him to study law under [[Edward Aylesworth Perry]]. However, the young Merritt did not enjoy the subject and soon discontinued his law studies. Between [[1880]] and [[1893]], Merritt worked in various jobs: as a lumber tally clerk in the Bay; as a deckhand on a tug; as a lumber inspector; and for the [[W. B. Wright Company|George W. Wright Lumber Company]].<ref name="brown">[http://www.brownmarine.com/story09.htm Brown Marine Sea Stories]</ref>

==Business career==
In January [[1893]], the elder Merritt died, and his son took over his shipbroker business, renaming it [[John A. Merritt and Company]]. Around [[1900]], [[Richard H. Turner, Jr.]] joined him as a partner. Merritt also operated the [[Pensacola Supply Company]], a stevedoring firm.<ref name="stjohns" />

Merritt was also active in other fields of business. He served on the boards of the [[Citizens National Bank]] and the [[Pensacola Hotel Company]]. He was a partner in the [[Bluff Springs Gravel Company]] and a one-third owner of the [[Bayou Chico Land Company]]. He was also a founding member of the [[Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce]] and in [[1923]] served as its president.<ref name="stjohns" />

==Political career==
In [[1894]], Merritt was elected [[City of Pensacola Tax Assessor|City Tax Assessor]]. In [[1906]], he was elected to the [[Escambia County Commission]], and served as its chairman through [[1908]]. In [[1931]], he was elected to the [[Pensacola City Council]], the first under the new charter passed that year.<ref name="stjohns" />

==Personal life==
Merritt was active in a number of social organizations, including the [[Pensacola Country Club]], [[YMCA]], [[Rotary Club]], [[Osceola Club]], and [[Knights of the Pythias]].<ref name="stjohns" />

Merritt was married to Mary Turner in [[1892]]. The couple had ten children, five of which lived to adulthood. Merritt was buried in [[St. John's Cemetery]].<ref name="stjohns" />

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Shipping businesspeople|Merritt, John Abercrombie]] [[Category:Pensacola City Council members|Merritt, John Abercrombie]] [[Category:Escambia County Commissioners|Merritt, John Abercrombie]] [[Category:People buried in St. John's Cemetery|Merritt, John Abercrombie]]