Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1903 — Another Old Timer Torn Down. [ARTICLE]

Another Old Timer Torn Down.

An old residence building on Cornelia street, between Van Rensselaer, and Front, belonging to John Egernnd now being torn down, is yet one other of the fast disappearing old “land marks” of Rensselaer. Gur living town historian, Unole Jared Benjamin, says tbe house was built in 1851, or 52 years ago this year. It was built by Tom Clark an old time merchant, but soon sold to Jacob Merkle, who had been elected county treasurer. He eerved two terms and then removed to the southern part of the state and built a woollen mill. This mill was burned by desperadoes, and Merkle then came to Monticello, apd put up a mill there. Merkle, by the way, was the first settler in what is now Milroy township, having located in that region in 1842, and living there until he was elected treasurer.