F. C. Merkle, harnessmaker and saddler Tippecanoe City; was born in Auglaize Co. April, 1851; is the son of Charles T., a native of Germany, and a wagon-maker by trade ; he married Ann E. Cottenberger, of Germany, by whom he had nine children, five of whom still survive. Our subject is the third child of the family, and was reared and schooled in the town of Wapakoneta, his native place began an apprenticeship at the harness trade at the age of 14, and served some three years, he then engaged at butchering for three years, and then at railroading for three years, when in 1874 he came to Tippecanoe and began the manufacture of harness, and by his enterprise and careful attention to business, has established a gratifying trade; he is located on North Main street, between First and Second streets, where he keeps on hand a full line of first- class stock. He took a course in the Commercial College of Dayton, Ohio, in 1871, thus acquiring a thorough business education. He is a member of the A. F. & A.M. and M. R. A., of Tippecanoe. He married Elizabeth Pohlkotte, of Montgomery Co., in 1873 ; they have a family of three children.