John Wesley Merrett

In 1878, he came from Alabama to Denton County, Texas, where he joined his widowed mother, Mary Frances Merrett, and eight brothers and sisters who settled there in 1869.  His first employment was on a farm near Barton Springs.  It was there he met his future wife.  A year later, he was married to Mary Ward (Mollie) Sublett, born May 1863 and died September 1893, the daughter of the Isaac Preston Subletts, who came by covered wagon from Tennessee to Texas in 1865. 

Seven children were born to John Wesley and Mollie Sublett Merrett:

1)      William Wesley (Bill), born February 14, 1880.  He was married to Luten Perry and Myrtle V. Ethriedge.

2)      Maudie May, born March 22, 1881 and died March 10, 1948.  She was married Almer McCain.

3)      Claude Clarence, born August 6, 1882 and died March 12, 1952.  He was married to Bertie Flanagan (1890-1923) and Margaret Griffin.

4)      Clara Beatrice (Kitty), born February 10, 1886.  She was married to Walter Hovenkamp and Charles Depew.

5)      Carl Demorest (Kilrain), born October 10, 1887 and died December 26, 1921.  Because of his pugilistic tendencies evidenced at the age of four, he was given the name of Kilrain who was a popular prize fighter of that time.

6)      Edgar Ernest

7)      Ola Belle, born September 18, 1891 and died December 18, 1958.

In 1892, the Merrett family moved to Grapevine, where they operated a livery stable for several years.  During these years, the son, Bill, obtained his first outside employment on the Slaughter Ranch at $13.00 per month.

The mother passed away in 1893 and was buried at White’s Chapel.  In 1898, the father brought his family back to Keller, where he continued to live until his death August 22, 1925.  He was buried beside his wife.

The three Merrett daughters, Maud, Clara and Ola, moved to California.  Clara lives in Los Angeles.

Carl, who was never married, spent his adult life in Oklahoma.  Only two sons, Claude C. and William W. remained in the Keller area.  Claude’s first marriage was to Bertie Flanagan, who passed away in 1923 and was buried in Bourland Cemetery.  The children of Claude and Bertie Flanagan are Mabel, Margie, Johnnye, Claudine and Jack, all of whom reside in Fort Worth.  Claude’s second marriage was to Maggie Griffin, who survives him and lives at 1717 Gould in Fort Worth.  He passed away March 12, 1952 and was buried in Bourland Cemetery.

William Wesley (Bill) was married first to Lutin Perry, mother of the son N.M. Merrett.  His second marriage was to Myrtle V. Ethriedge.  He began a career in local politics in 1918, which kept his name before the voters of Tarrant County until 1940.  Many road improvements in Precinct 4 were accomplished during his administration as County Commissioner.  Her served three years as Justice of the peace at Lake Worth Village and was elected first mayor in 1940.

He discusses his political defeats and victories with equal good humor and says, “Through it all, I never was mad at anybody.”

Friends still recall the spice and frevity of one of his political speeches the night before election day, when J.I. Short was his opponent in the race for commissioner.  He was the last speaker at a rally held on the front steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse.  Herewith, the speech is quoted in its entirety; “Fellow citizens, it won’t be long now and it won’t be short.”

Though his weight has been reduced from 314 to 185 pounds, Mr. Bill is still an impressive figure.  Confined to his home at 3217 Caddo Trail, he continues to serve his community as Notary Public.  He keeps in touch with the outside world by telephone and through the visits with his many friends and relatives who call often.  The long list of visitors includes his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. N.M. Merrett and two foster daughters, Mrs. D.W. Healy and Mrs. Johnnie Carden and their families.