The ancestors of Martha Mary Cardon Merrill were French, who, having been driven from their homes because they were Protestant, took refuge in the valleys of the Alps in Piedmont, Italy. Lorenzo Snow was one of the first missionaries to visit this area and it was through his efforts that Martha Mary's parents, John Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin, became interested in Mormonism and subsequently migrated to Utah, John Paul arriving with the Robert Campbell company on October 29, 1854, and Susannah Goudin with the first handcart company of 1856. Susannah became the wife of Mr. Cardon and following the birth in Ogden of their second child, Martha Mary, on December 7, 1859, they moved to Logan.

Much of Mary's childhood was spent tending babies as both mother and father were compelled to work in the fields. The death of her older brother so upset her, she was allowed to attend school at the age of four. Louise Baliff supervised this kindergarten and, because Mary was so small, often carried her to school. Later on Mary became very adept at spelling.

The climate in Cache Valley being so similar to that of Italy, John Paul and others planted mulberry trees, then sent to Italy for silkworms. It was one of Mary's duties to pick the mulberry leaves and feed the silkworms. It also fell to her lot to help with the threshing of the grain which, after being cut, was placed on the floor to be trampled on by the children. When Mary was twelve her mother was called by Brigham Young on a mission to Salt Lake City to teach the silk industry. This placed a heavy responsibility on the little girl, for it was her job to take care of her youngest brother, Joseph, who was little more than one year old. While yet a young lady she was one of the first to gather from the wheat fields the fine, round straws which she cured, split and braided into beautiful hats for herself and family. When Mary reached the age of nineteen she quit school to marry, on April 11, 1878, Marriner Wood Merrill, Jr., son of Marriner Wood Merrill, Sr., and Sarah Ann Atkinson. They were wed in the Endowment House and at their reception, had a beautiful wedding cake. While the first group of guests were eating, Mary's brother, Lewis, and sister, Lucy, crept into the pantry and picked off all the rose buds.

Mary was about 4 feet 9 inches tall and weighed around 94 pounds. With dark complexion she had large blue eyes and an abundance of thick, long hair which she combed in a high bob on top of her head. Her body was erect and, although she was small in stature, she could do more work than most women. A splendid housekeeper and cook she enjoyed having company drop in. Their daughter, Sarah, was born February 1, 1879, and Marriner was so surprised that the baby was not a boy he jokingly said he would have to find another wife to bear him a son.

Finally the young couple moved into a one-room log cabin with a lean-to. Their furniture consisted of a table, bed, straw-tick, pillows, mantel, cupboard, dishes and cooking utensils. Just two and one-half years after their marriage Marriner married Lucina Shepherd, who moved in with them, using the lean-to as her room. They lived this way for a short time and then both wives, who got along very well with each other, were each provided with a comfortable home.

Between 1885 and 1894 three of Mary's sons were taken by death. Although she had a great deal of sorrow and hardship in her life, she also had much pleasure and fun. Their vegetables were kept in an outside cellar with a dirt roof, and sometimes, when the boys were naughty and she attempted to punish them, they would run to this cellar, take off their shoes and climb the dirt roof. By the time she reached the top they had run down the other side. Finally they would all be laughing so hard punishment was forgotten.

Mary's home was often used to house polygamist wives when the officers were seeking their husbands. Mary stayed home and cared for the children of those who found work to support their families. She loved to dance, attend corn-husking bees, molasses and honey candy pulls, and carpet rag bees, always seeing the humorous side of life.

On December 30, 1899, Mary's husband died of pneumonia and muscular rheumatism. He was 43 years of age; she, 40. His second wife, Lucina, was left with six children.

Mary served her Church in many capacities. She was a teacher in Primary for thirteen years, counselor for two years and president for five. She served as teacher of the Richmond Relief Society. During her Primary career the merry-go-round came to Richmond and was located across the street from the Church. The Primary president made arrangements with the manager to give all the children and officers a free ride. They all sang a song as they rode. Just at that time Grandfather Merrill came by and witnessed the gaiety. The next Sunday in Church he chastized them, saying that married ladies or Primary teachers didn't look very dignified astraddle little wooden horses.

Mary's home was a home for several orphan and under-privileged children, many of whom came to visit her in her declining years. In 1921 she went to Davenport, Iowa, with her two youngest sons who attended college, then, in 1924, the three moved to Cle Elum, Washington. She next moved to Pocatello for one year with her youngest son, Cardon; then went to Preston, Idaho, where she made her permanent home. During the flu epidemic of 1918 her son, Dr. Cecil A. Merrill, died leaving a wife and two children.

Among her hobbies were crocheting, knitting, netting, reading, making hats, quilts, hair pin lace, hair switches, raising flowers. Netting was almost a forgotten art until Mary taught many ladies in and about Preston how to do this work. At almost ninety-nine years of age she lived alone and maintained her home with little additional help. Although her eyesight and hearing were greatly impaired, she averaged reading two newspapers daily, among other things. She enjoyed the radio news broadcasts and was delighted when company came to visit.

Late in the afternoon of Wednesday, October 14, 1959, Mary went into the back yard to throw some cantaloupe seeds to the birds. As she was returning across her garden plot her right hip gave way and she fell to the ground. Neighbors heard her calls for help, carried her into the house and summoned a doctor, who informed them she had a broken hip. After a ten-day stay in the L.D.S. Hospital in Salt Lake City, she was taken to the Preston General Hospital where she spent the remaining year and a half of her life. Her mind remained keen and she enjoyed the frequent visits of family and friends during the long months of her confinement. Death came to Mary on Sunday, April 30, 1961, when she was 101 years 4 months and 23 days old.

—Flossie Webb Merrill

August 21, 1999:  Copied from Infobases LDS Family History Suite, 1996 edition.  Original source is Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 7, p.390-392.