[p. 510] farmer, dairyman and stockraiser, in Shenango Township, was born on his present farm in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1863, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Richey) Mershimer.
The father of Mr. Mershimer was also born on this farm, May 15, 1819, and he became a carpenter and followed that trade into middle life, having his own shop. He then turned his attention to general farming on the homestead. In 1873 he built the substantial barn and three years later the comfortable residence. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Elizabeth Richey, who was left an orphan at an early age. They had the following children: Alcetha, who is the widow of Milton Frew, of New Castle; Zelma R., who lives at West Sunbury, in Butler County; Adelaide, who died aged twenty-two years; Katherine Adella, also deceased; Henry R., who lives at New Castle; and George B. and Elmer Adam, twins, the former of whom lives at New Castle. The father of this family died June 9, 1899, but the mother still survives and bears well her eighty-four years. She is a valued member of the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church. The Mershimer family can be traced several generations back. The grandfather was Adam Mershimer and he served in the War of 1812, being a part of the fleet under Commodore Perry. He married Katherine Stickle and Peter was their eldest child. The great-grandfather of Elmer A. Mershimer was Sebastian Mershimer, who was born in Germany but came to the American colonies and fought during the Revolutionary War under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and for his seven years of service, received a grant of 240 1-3 acres of land, which is now the home of his great-grandson, Elmer A. Sebastian Mershimer reached Shenango Township July 3, 1811, and spent the first night on the site of the present new cement works.
Elmer Adam Mershimer has always lived on the old home farm. In connection with his growing of corn, oats, wheat and hay, he operates a small dairy and keeps seven head of cattle, and also raises some stock. In politics he is a Republican, but only to the extent of good citizenship might he be termed a politician.
Mr. Mershimer married Belle J. Thomas, a daughter of William Thomas of Perry Township. They are members of the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 31 Oct 2001