Merle McMurry - dismalscientist86/FamilyTree GitHub Wiki
- Born: April 3, 1908
- Died: February 9, 1985
- Parents:Burton McMurry, Mabel Rhodes
- Spouse: Harriette Davis
- Children: John Havicon née Robert Donaldson, Marlene McMurry, Judith McMurry
- Lived in: Butler, Pennsylvania; Escorse, Michigan; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Relationship: Miriam/Amy Sandler> Danielle Havicon > John M. Havicon > John W. Havicon > Merle McMurry
Early Life (1908-1926)
1908 Birth Certificate:
Merle was born to Burton McMurry and Mabel Rhodes on April 3, 1908 in Butler, Pennsylvania. His father was a laborer and his mother was a housewife. They were both born in Butler, Pennsylvania as well. He had 3 older siblings.
1910 Census:
Merle was 2 years old and lived with his parents Burton and Mabel and 3 siblings, Ruth (age 7), Carl (age 5), and Lloyd (age 4) in Butler, Pennsylvania. His parents had been married 8 years and owned their home with a mortgage. His father worked as a laborer in an oil refinery. His parents and grandparents were all born in Pennsylvania.
1920 Census:
Merle was 11 years old. His family continued to live in Butler, Pennsylvania. In addition to his siblings, his grandfather, Andrew McMurry, had moved in with them. His father, Burton worked as a laborer at the Valvoline Oil Manufactures. His two older brothers, Carl and Lloyd, both delivered newspapers.
1929 Birth
In 1929, Dorothy Donaldson gave birth to a son, whom she named Robert. Merle was listed as the father on the birth certificate. The child was adopted by John H. Havicon and renamed John W. Havicon.
1930 Census:
Merle was 22 years old and was still living with his parents, Burton and Mabel, and his 24-year-old brother Lloyd. The other siblings had left the household. Merle worked as an inspector at the steel mill, though he hadn't been at work the day before the Census. His brother worked as a clerk at the steel mill. His father did "odd jobs" in oil manufacturing.
There were several steel manufactures in Butler, Pennsylvania, including ARMCO Steel and the Standard Steel Car Company.
1933 Marriage License:
Merle moved to Ecorse, Michigan and married Harriette Davis on October 26, 1933. Harriette was also born in Pennsylvania. His occupation was "labor".
1940 Census:
Merle and Harriette lived in Ecorse, Michigan with their two daughters, Marlene (age 4) and Judith (age 6 months). He and Harriette both had a high school education. He was employed as the Assistant Shearman at the steel mill and earned $1,956 a year. They owned their house and it was worth $3,000.
1940 Draft Registration.
Merle was working for the Great Lakes Steel Corporation. He was married to Harriet Eugenia McMurry. He was 5'8 3/4, weighed 167 pounds, had blue eyes and brown hair.
Great Lakes Steel was a division of the National Steel Corporation. Some of the facilities still exist. "As of 2024, Great Lakes Works offers steel finishing facilities primarily serving the automotive industry." There was a strike in 1941 that Merle may have taken part in.
1947 City Directory
The 1947 City directory for Wyandotte, Michigan confirms Merle's continued employment with Great Lakes Steel.
1950 Census
Merle and Harriette continued to live in Escorse, Michigan on Applegate Road. Both worked full time. Merle was a foreman at the steel mill. Harriette was an office clerk at a factory that manufactured card tables. Their daughters Marlene and Judith were 14 and 10 years old, respectively.
Merle and Harriette moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1968.
Find a Grave: Merle died on February 9, 1985 at age 76 in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.