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Descendants of Robert Dukes - June 24, 2003

17. CHARLES FRANKLIN⁴ MERCER (HENRIETTA³ DUKES, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born Abt. 1836 in "Frank" (b. Washington Co, TN?), and died 12 Aug 1880 ³³. He married (1) MARY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL Abt. 1855, daughter of COLLIN CAMPBELL and LUCINDA ... She was born Abt. 1836 in "Mollie" (b. Washington Co, TN 1840?), and died Aft. 1861. He married (2) MARY ELIZABETH ELLISTON Bet. Feb - Nov 1865. She was born Bet. 1835 - 1850, and died Unknown.

Notes for CHARLES FRANKLIN MERCER:
Information on this family comes from Bruce & Jerrydean Mercer of Arizona.

The 1850 Census says Charles Franklin Mercer was born in VA.

In September 1862, Charles F. Mercer wrote to his sister, Henrietta, who was still in Oregon. He was trying to reach her as her first husband had died. He said, "I have 2 little Children at Pas retta & Wallace I suppose you heard that I had lost my wife & 2 Children."

In the correspondence of Henrietta & John A. E. Knight, frequent mention is made in the year 1878 of "Brother Frank." He at that time was courting the Widow Tye Oak Grove, Texas, from Fort Worth. Henrietta reports that the two were exchanging letters twice a week in July 1878.

In 1880, Frankie and Laura were living with Henrietta, and Frank was having a drinking problem; had been arrested and fined for drunkenness. Joe Mercer wanted the children, and John Knight thought it was best to send them to him, since he and Henrietta were not "well fixed" at that time. John, in his letters, referred to him as "Dock."

Notes for MARY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL:
Henrietta Mercer describes her new daughter-in-law: "Dear Frank has come back from St Louis he has been there attending the lectures at the medical School all winter he is all you could wish him he left his wife at her fathers I dont know what to think about her she is a compound of sense mischeif mixt with fire and tow she belongs to the cumberlain presbeterians. but is very clair of deception."

Children of CHARLES MERCER and MARY CAMPBELL are:

51.	i.	COLLIN WALLACE⁵ MERCER, b. 25 Nov 1856, "Wallace" b. Missouri; d. 13 May 1946, North Powder, Union Co, OR.
	ii.	CHARLES MERCER, b. Jan 1858; d. Unknown.
	iii.	HENRIETTA MERCER, b. 24 Jan 1860; d. Aft. 1940, Res 1940 North Powder, OR; m. HARRY ALLEN, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.

Notes for HENRIETTA MERCER:
Henrietta is mentioned in a 17 Jun 1860 letter from Laura Mercer to her sister, Henrietta Chiles. She says, "Brother had another Retta Mercer at his house he has named his oldest and only daughter for you."

We originally had her year of birth recorded 1861, but this is evidently an error.

According to F. B. Mercer, "Retta Allen came up to North Powder, Oregon in 1909. She taught the 8th grade. She had known the Hobbs family in New Mexico and they had moved to Clover Creek near North Powder. They bought the Kaler ranch and Retta Allen stayed with them when she came up. She got to the Grouts who had the ranch next door. Retta wrote to Wallace and Belle Mercer suggesting they come to Oregon where they could rent the Grout ranch. Retta bought the farm equipment. Wallace, Roy and Frank came out and took possession in 1909, in late fall. Belle, Cleve, Addye, Retta and Babe came out on the train in April 1910 and met the others at the Huddelson store. So they all stayed at the Grout ranch. They lived there for 3 years, then moved to the Smith ranch 2 miles to the west in the Ladd Canyon section."

Children of CHARLES MERCER and MARY ELLISTON are:

iv.

FRANKIE⁵ MERCER, b. Bet. 1865 - 1870; d. Bef. 1940, may have died young.

Notes for FRANKIE MERCER:
Henrietta Knight cared for "little Frankie" for a time during the April of 1880, when his father was in camp with John A. E. Knight. In April of that year, he became quite ill. Her letters described the ups and downs of a condition she felt was closer to "Consumption than anything else." By May of that year, The available physician, a Dr. Brookes, says that Franie was in a dangerous condition and had what he termed "Dropsy of the Pleura." By June, he was far improved, but the doctors had to drain about a gallon of "putrid matter" from his side.

LAURA MERCER, b. Abt. 1870; d. Unknown, Not indicated as dead in 1940.

Notes for LAURA MERCER:
This is undoubtedly the Laura who lived with her aunt Henrietta Mercer Knight and husband John A. E. Knight, Sr.

She was younger than Henrietta's son but not by many years. Henrietta writes in September 1882 to her husband:

"We are all well but Laura. I sent for Dr. Warren yesterday. She is up to day but looks bad, she will take Blue Mass to & Quinine until to morrow and then he will send some Bitter for her to take. I got a letter from Frank about her. I had written to him she was chilling, he asked me to get a Physician sent her ten dollars more and said he would send more soon. Told Laura to write to him how she felt and if necessary he would come to see her, he asked me to tell him the name of "that kid" at Oak Grove, said he was doing well and wanted to make a Will so as to leave every cent to Laura, and could not do it unless he knew that Childs name. Says he wants Laura to have more than Wallace or Retta."

18. ELEANOR WAYNE⁴ MERCER (HENRIETTA³ DUKES, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 24 Jan 1841 in Jackson Co, MO, and died Unknown in Res. Celina, Collin Co, TX 1935. She married MART WINN Aft. 1857. He was born 07 Sep 1840 in (Or Wynn), and died Unknown.

Notes for ELEANOR WAYNE MERCER:
LDS records show Eleanor born 1840 in Jackson Co, MO.

She signs her name "Ellen" in an 1854 letter to her sister Henrietta. She is at that time attending school at Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, at "Mr. Symington's" school.

An 1864 letter from Laura Mercer to Henrietta Mercer Knight tells that "Sister Ella has had two little girls the oldest one named Henrietta for you and Ma died when it was very small the youngest one is still living and is named Maggie."

Notes for MART WINN:
According to Aunt Retta Allen, Mart Winn went to Texas and went into business with his brother-in-law, John Knight.

LDS Records list this man as Thomas Winn b. 1836 in Jackson Co, MO.

Ed Kutz refers to him as Thomas "Mart" Winn.

Bob Winn (bobwinn@iname.com) writes to Ed Kutz 11 Dec 1998 and discusses research in the McKinney Texas library in which he found:

"Captain Mart S. Winn, son of Minor and Polly Haggard Winn and grandson of John and Ellen Wrignt Winn, was born 7 September 1840. He came to Texas before 1860 and settled in Little Elm, west of Old Celina..."

(Stambaugh, J. Lee & Lillian J., "A History of Collin County, Texas," The Texas Historical Association, Austin. 1958.)

Ed provides the birth date of Eleanor Mercer and gives a date death of 4 Jul 1893 ( I previously had information she was still alive in 1935). He also gives the following children (I previously had only Thomas and James):

Thomas
James m. ___ McWharter, had 2 sons & a dau.
Alice d. aft 1922 of McKinley, TX md. ca 1900 I.E. Reeves.
ch. Mart Winn Reeves b. ca 1904
Buck -- married & had a family

A 1922 letter from Alice Winn Reeves to Henrietta Mercer Knight refers to a Mary, identity unknown: "Mary left 3 fine boys one daughter the oldest one has married and has two sons. Hal is living in Oregon and doing fine. Mr. Mosely Mary's husband and the other children is living in Oaklohoma. I forgot the name of the town."

Children of ELEANOR MERCER and MART WINN are:

	i.	HENRIETTA⁵ WINN, b. Bef. 1864; d. Bef. 1864.
	ii.	MAGGIE WINN, b. Bef. 1864; d. Aft. 1864, (living in 1864).
	iii.	THOMAS WINN, b. Bet. 1860 - 1870; d. Unknown.
	iv.	JAMES WINN, b. Bet. 1862 - 1872, "Jimmie"; d. Unknown; m. .. MCWHARTER, Unknown, 2 sons & 1 dau; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.
52.	v.	ALICE WINN, b. Bet. 1864 - 1874; d. Aft. 1922, res McKinley, TX.
	vi.	BUCK WINN, b. Bet. 1866 - 1876, married & had a family; d. Aft. 1924, Living in McKinney TX 1924.

19. JOSEPH WAYNE⁴ MERCER (HENRIETTA³ DUKES, ROBERT S.², ..¹) was born 23 Feb 1845 in Platte City, Platte Co, MO, and died Mar 1906 in Independence, Jackson Co, MO. He married LAURA GREENE 18 May 1870 in Jackson Co, MO, daughter of BEAL GREENE and CORINNE RATCLIFFE. She was born Abt. 1849 in of Jackson Co, MO, and died Aft. Mar 1906.

Notes for JOSEPH WAYNE MERCER:
Names of four daughters came from WFT 6/2908.

Either Kate or Etta married Walter Brown, who res. 116 S. Pleasant St. in Independence, MO in 1933.

Either Kate or Eta married Mr. __ Cronin.

Anna was Mrs. Roberts, referred to in letters from Henrietta Mercer Knight.

My previous information was that Mary was the wife of B. Zick, Jr. Cannot determine source at this time. Have photo of Bernard Zick of Kansas City, MO which appeared in newspaper. Had correspondence from him, but cannot locate.

"Aunt Retta Allen" states that Joseph Mercer was a multimillionaire. Was a teacher after the Civil War, then state treasurer, then unsuccessful attempt at governor on Democratic ticket, then opened a wholesale house in Kansas City Missouri named Mercer & Beckam.

"An Illustrated Map of Jackson County, Missouri, 1877," p. 27

Attended Chapel Hill College in Lafayette Co., MO at age 13.

In 1861, joined the Confederate Army at age 16, in Lafayette Co. Unit was Capt. Windsor's Company in Gen. Price's Division. Became 10th Missouri Cavalry, first commanded by Col. Emmet McDonald, later by Col. Laughther. Entered as private, was promoted to 3rd Sergeant. Was severely wounded in arm 25 Oct 1863 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, suffered wound 8 weeks, arm eventually amputated. Stayed with unit and was promoted to Capt. Served in the commisary department of the army and stated at McKinney, Texas, when the war closed.

Attended Jones Commercial College 1867-1868 at St. Louis.

Returned to Independence, MO, the home of his father, since 1837. Taught school 1 year in Jackson County.

1869 started a real estate & insurance business.

1871 - elected to Independence City Council

1872 Elected Jackson County Treasurer

1874 Elected Missouri State Treasurer; youngest MO employee ever at age 29.

1876 - engaged in banking business with other partners under name of Brown, Hughes and Company. This bank located on the site of present First National Bank (in 1920). Previously connected with a bank at Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Was in the wholesale grocery business with Beckham, Mercer & Company, which was suceeded by Beckham, McKnight & Company, for four years (dates not given).

In 1889, built home at 116 South Pleasant St. Independence, MO, "one of the finest in the city."

Member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and a Democrat.

Sources:

Iva Lee Calley Riggs Genealogy, 18 Mar 1995 (information sent by Ed Kutz); shows birthdate as 25 Feb 1845.

W. Z. Hickman, "History of Jackson County," Historical Publishing Co., Topeka, KS, 1920, pp. 432-433

"An Illustrated Atlas Map of Jackson County, Missouri, 1877" page 27
This source adds that ancestors on his father's side were early residents of Tennessee, having emigrated there from Scotland. His father, Thomas W. Mercer, was born in Tennessee, and Married Henrietta Dukes in Virginia, who belonged to an old Virginia family. Abt 1832, Thomas W. Mercer emigrated from Abindgon, VA to Missouri, settling in Independence, where he was a contractor and builder. In 1844, he moved to Platte City, Platte County, MO, where he contracted to construct a bridge across the Platte River. This is where Joseph Mercer was born.

In 1846, the family moved back to Jackson County and settled on a farm 10 miles south of Independence.

Obituary appared in Independence Examiner 16 Mar 1906.

Recaps above information, but also gives information that he died from heart failure, and suffered from diabetes. He was the current President of the First National Bank and also in his second term as judge of the county court from the eastern district. He also helped form the Anderson Chiles Banking Company with Col. M.W. Anderson and C. C. Chiles (First National Bank).

Leaves widow and four children:
Mrs. Mercer was Laura Green, married 1870.
Daughters, Mrs. James Roberts of KC
Mrs. Walter Brown of KC
Mrs. Bernard Zick, Jr. of Independence
Miss Katherine Mercer.

Sister, Mrs. W. A. Symington

Another sister in Jackson County, and a brother in Texas.

Col. Mercer was a member of Independence Lodge No. 3, Knights of Pythias.

Notes for LAURA GREENE:
"Judge Green's daughter" according to "Aunt Retta Allen."

Date of birth from LDS records.

Children of JOSEPH MERCER and LAURA GREENE are:

ANNA⁵ MERCER, b. Abt. 1872; d. Aft. Feb 1924, res Kansas City, MO 1924; m. (1) JAMES ROBERTS, Aft. 1891; b. Abt. 1870; d. Unknown; m. (2) B. A. BARTLETT, Unknown; b. Abt. 1870; d. Bet. 1891 - 1906.

Notes for ANNA MERCER:
At the time of writing of "A Memorial Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri" which was published after 1891, but before March 1906, "Annie" Mercer, daughter of Joseph Wayne Mercer, was married to B. A. Bartlett, then the assistant prosecuting attorney for Jackson County, Missouri.

By the time of her father's death in March 1906, Anna Mercer was married to James Roberts.

Notes for B. A. BARTLETT:
B. A. Bartlett, according to "A Memorial Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri," published after 1891 but before 1906, was the assistant prosecuting attorney for Jackson County.

53.	ii.		MARY H. MERCER, b. Abt. 1875; d. Aft. Mar 1906, res Independence, MO 1906.
	iii.		KATHERINE L. MERCER, b. Abt. 1877, "Kate"; d. Aft. Feb 1924, Living in Kansas City 1924.

Notes for KATHERINE L. MERCER:
According to information in letters of Henrietta Mercer Knight, one daughter married a Mr. Cronin. Corinne was dead by 1892, and Katherine still single in March 1906. So either may have married this man.

	iv.		ETTA V. MERCER, b. Abt. 1879; d. Bet. 1906 - 1940, res Kansas City, MO 1906; m. WALTER BROWN, Unknown; b. Abt. 1875; d. Unknown.
	v.		CORINNE MERCER, b. Abt. 1881; d. Bef. 1892.

Notes for CORINNE MERCER:
Corinne Mercer is mentioned in "A Memorial Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri," which was published between 1892 and 1906. At the time of publication, Corinne was deceased.

According to information in letters of Henrietta Mercer Knight, one daughter married a Mr. Cronin. Corinne was dead by 1892, and Katherine still single in March 1906. So either may have married this man.

vi.

ALICE R. MERCER, b. Abt. 1883; d. Bet. 1891 - 1906.

Notes for ALICE R. MERCER:
Alice R. Mercer is mentioned as still living at the time of publication of "A Memorial Record of Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri." The book was published sometime between 1892 and 1906.

She is not mentioned in her father's obituary, and it is assumed she has passed away by this time.

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