... Mr. Merwin's wife was known in her maidenhood as Mary A. Barnes, and she was born in Geneva township, this county, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah A. (Brewster) Barnes, ... She came here with her parents in 1836 or 1837, among the earliest settlers, and they located on Spring Prairie on the northeast part of Geneva township, and there her parents, Deodat and Lois (Drury) Brewster, worked hard to develop a farm and established a home in the new country. She had a sister, Mary, who was the first school teacher in Geneva township. She afterwards married Mr. Pentland. ...