Albert Walter Merrick (December 24, 1840February 26, 1902) was an American journalist who published the first newspaper in Deadwood, South Dakota, the Black Hills Weekly Pioneer, along with W. A. Laughlin. The newspaper continues to be published today, but has moved its offices to Spearfish, South Dakota.
Personal Merrick was born in New York in 1840 and served in the Civil War, rising to the rank of sergeant.U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934 Census records indicate that Merrick was living in Deadwood in 1880, when his occupation was listed as editor.
Merrick was married to Rachel Margaret Davis (1845–1924),California, Death Index, 1905-1939 known as "Ray" Merrick, who was born in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales.1861 Wales Census, 1851 Wales Census1920 United States Federal Census She immigrated to the United States in 1864.1910 United States Federal Census
The Merricks had at least five children. In 1880, they had two children; Walter M. Merrick (1872–1880), who died in Deadwood after the census was taken, and Marie Blanche Merrick (b. 1876 Colorado). Albert and Rachel also had a daughter, Louise May Merrick, born in Butte, Montana around 1881;Montana, County Marriages, 1865-1987 another son, Albert Wilbur Merrick, born in Deadwood in 1882;U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 and another daughter, Zeta Marguerite Merrick, born in Deadwood in 1888.South Dakota, Birth Index, 1856-1917California, Federal Naturalization Records, 1843-1999 for Albert Wilbur Merrick Albert Wilbur Merrick also entered the newspaper industry and became a printer.
In 1899, Merrick was listed as an invalid in veteran pension records. He died in 1902 and was buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood.1880 United States Federal Census
Career Merrick created the Black Hills Weekly Pioneer in Deadwood in May 1876. The first paper was published on June 8, 1876, and is still printed today as the Black Hills Pioneer.
In popular culture Merrick is portrayed by actor Jeffrey Jones in the television series Deadwood (2004–2006) and the film continuation Deadwood: The Movie (2019).
References
External links