The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Washington Township, page 748
George W. Merritt, one of the prominent pioneers of Washington Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 20, 1821, a son of George S. and Jane (Carden) Merritt. His parents came to Hendricks County in the fall of 1825 and settled in Washington Township, where his father died in 1854 and his mother in 1863. Of their family of eight children, five are living--William J., Elvira, Sarah, Mary and George W. Our subject was reared in Hendricks County, remaining with his parents till manhood. His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm, and since leaving home he has been very successful and now owns a fine farm of 340 acres. He was married Dec. 28, 1844, to Melvina Johnson, who was born in September, 1823, a daughter of Thomas Johnson, one of the pioneers of Hendricks County. To them have been born nine children--George T., John E., James H., William, Melinda J., Mary I., Sylvester N., Simeon (deceased) and Reuben A. In politics Mr. Merritt is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.