From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
J. W. Merrifield settled in western Dallas County in 1849. He was a native of Harding County, Kentucky; born 12 March 1823, he was the fourth son of John “Jack” and Sarah Welsh Merrifield. He and his four brothers were true pioneers of the area.
Brought up on a farm, he was familiar with the labor required for successfully managing a farming operation. He occupied a farm which he had previously secured about five miles west of Dallas, where he assisted his father to improve the land.
He worked with his father until 1853, when he opened a food store-market on west Jefferson near Beckley. He pursued this business for about two years. He turned operation of the store over to a clerk and moved to a new tract of 320 acres of unimproved land.
On 18 August 1859, he married Miss Lauretta E. Horne, a native of Clay County, Missouri.
She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Sloan Horne who came early to Missouri from Tennessee. The Hornes came to Texas in 1844, and resided in Red River County for four years before coming to Dallas in 1849.
John W. and Lauretta settled on their 320 acres in what is now known as Cockrell Hill. He soon closed the market business in Dallas, and they gave their full attention to agriculture and a growing young family.
They were the parents of six children: Sarah Elizabeth, who married James Freeman; Thomas Alexander, who married Elvira “Katie” Moore Hopkins; John Samuel, who died in 1878; Charles Boone; and Rachel J., who married Fee Daniel.
J. W. Merrifield served in the Commissary Department, CSA during the Civil War. Upon his return to civilian life, he continued to accumulate land until he owned 1080 acres of fertile farm land in western edge of Dallas.
He died 8 September 1888, and he and Mrs. Merrifield are buried in Wheatland, Texas Cemetery. Thomas Alexander and his wife are buried in the Merrifield family plot in Wheatland also. Thomas and Katie had three children: Thelma Oleta Merrifield, who married Clarence Painter; Elvis Welch Merrifield, who married Emma Ruth Brown; and Ida Mae, who married Herman Sample.
By Mrs. Clarence Painter, Dallas
