| Notes |
- Merl, a native Californian, lived in Chico from 1920 until his death in 1977 at age 83. Census records indicate he was born in 1894 at Oregon House, Yuba Co., CA., where his family had located from Algonquin, Mc Henry Co., Illinois around 1880. He appears in the Marysville area with his older brothers and parents in the 1900 census where his father, Joseph, was a gold miner.
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Merl, a WWI soldier, was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army when attending basic training at camp Kearny, Ca., By a written request to the President of the U.S. that Merle was needed at home. After his divorce from Alice, he stayed with his mother until she died in 1944.
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The 1920 census has Merl, his mother Alice and uncle Fernando Kelly all living together in Buckeye Township, Shasta Co., CA., (his mother had been widowed by then).
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We can follow the movements of Merl from 1921 on through Chico city directories located at the Sutro Library in San Francisco, CA.
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1921 finds Merl living with his widowed mother Alice and his uncle Fernando G. Kelly at 4045 7th street, his occupation was listed as laborer, his uncle was a public school teacher.
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At the end of 1921 Merl was married to Alice M. Stevens. The Dec. 6, 1921 issue of the Enterprise Record shows: Couple Marry - Alice M. Stevens and Merl G. Kelly, both of Chico were married last night at 8:30 by Justice of the Peace J.L. Barnes in the municipal building.
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1922 has Merl working at D. M. (Diamond Match) Co. as a Laborer.
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Merl and Alice moved to 4821 9th street in Chico in about 1928, and to 4534 9th Street in 1931. About 1930 Merl is listed as a chauffeur.
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About 1933 He and Alice had split up, and gone their separate ways.
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In 1935 Merl and a woman by the surname Methrin had a child together.
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1937 finds Merl at 244 W. 9th, and at 644 W. 2nd in 1945.
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Another career change came about for Merl in 1948 when he is listed as a reader at the Christian Science Church, his address is also different at 440 W. 4th.
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By November 24, 1950 Merl had married Suzie Newquist.
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Merl's death certificate indicated he was a self employed man and had been a widower at the time of his death.
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Merl's Obituary appears in the Chico Enterprise Record as follows;
M.G. Kelly
A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the Brusie Funeral Home for Merl G. Kelly, 83, of 1147 Neal Dow Ave.
Kelly died Friday at a local hospital.
Born Aug. 1, 1894 in Marysville to Joseph and Alice Kelly, he lived in Yuba County until the age of six, when the family moved to Redding. He lived there until joining the Army in 1918, and moved to Chico after his military service.
Survivors include three daughters, Alta M. Bassett of Chico; Betty Comasky of Stockton, and Elsie E. Perry of Eagle, Colo.
Bishop Robert Standing will officiate at the services, and Mrs. Joyce Bae will sing "Beyond the Sunset", and "Going Home." Interment will be in the veterans section of the Chico Cemetery with Jimmy McMahon, Everett Cudd, Frank Zucca, Albert Coleman, Tony Squillace and Ernie Cook as casket bearers.
The flag will be presented by members of the Chico Post 17 of the American Legion.
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Davis Uriah I | Born 1707
1894 - 1977 (83 years)
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