Andrew Warren
In 1847, Andrew Warren (The Father of Merrill) traveled to Jenny Bull Falls and later that year starting building a dam at the end of Mill Street. Andrew developed waterpower by building the dam on the Wisconsin River. He built a sawmill from 1848 to 1849. He also constructed a boarding house for his crew and then a company store. His was Jenny Bull Falls first mill, boarding house and store, which in turn established Jenny as a community. The mill had two Muley saws and has an output of 7,000 to 10,000 board feet in a 12-hour day. Andrew operated the mill until 1871 when he sold it to Thomas B Scott.
Andrew is known to be the first pioneer of Merrill, yet he does not have anything dedicated or named after him. The only thing is the street was named Mill St since his mill was built there.
He later moved to Wausau, with money issues from Railroad schemes and bad health.
Thomas Blythe Scott or better known as TB Scott
Some refer to Scott as the father of Merrill, since he was the first Mayor in 1883.
Thomas moved to Merrill after he purchased the sawmill from Andrew Warren in 1871. Prior to moving to Merrill, he lived in Wisconsin Rapids, where he served as county clerk and county treasurer. He also served 5 terms in the state senate.
After Thomas moved to Merrill, he helped TP Mathews get Lincoln County created with the legislature.
He also devoted his time to get the Railroad to Merrill. Thomas was building a mansion but died before it was finished. He died on October 7, 1886. Thomas left $10,000 to the Methodist Episcopal Church and $10,000 to the city to start a library.
Oliver Barr Smith or better known as OB Smith
OB Smith came to Jenny to join Andrew Warren and Julius Posey in building the dam. In 1854 OB, along with BF Cooper, purchased the east half of the sawmill from Andrew. Smith and Cooper ran the mill until around 1859.
In 1854, OB opened the first road into Jenny from Wausau. In 1860, he cut the first road north of Jenny. OB and his wife Sorona, had twin boys. Fred and Frank were born July 20, 1858 and were the first boys born in Jenny.
Julius Posey Sr or better know as Jules Posey.
Jules came to Jenny in the 1840s and established 3 trading posts with his partner joe Beseau. He helped Andrew Warren build the first dam. He built the posey House, Posey Dining Hall, Lincoln House and Lincoln Hotel. His wife Leslie became a nationally known sculpture and gave $10,000 for a Historically Society Museum.
Thomas P Mathews
He was a logger in the lake Pesobic area in 1854. He spent part of 1872-1873 lobbying in Madison to be considered the county seat of Lincoln County. It went through in 1874. He was the first county Treasurer and remained Treasurer for three terms. He was around to see the first courthouse be built in the late 1870s.
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