In 1920, Merrill was living with his "Uncle Willie" in Gratiot Co., MI, age 14 years. As a child he was living at an orphanage in Coldwater, MI. William was granted custody of young Merrill, thereby obtaining his release from the orphanage.
At this time, Merrill's mother was in the state hospital. William eventually made Merrill the heir to his estate.Merrill moved to Clinton Co. about 1924. He had been ill for most of 1939, and died at the farm on Chadwick Road, Nov. 16, 1939, at the age of 34. His family always knew him as Merrill Elwood. However, his birth certificate has his
first name as Truman, no middle name.