Olonzo David Merrill

Olonzo David Merrill was born Dec 13, 1867 in Richmond to Marriner Wood and Cyrene Standley Merrill. Olonzo is a Pioneer of Richmond. Olonzo is one of the founders of Black & White Days. Olonzo is the father of Casper Whittle Merrill and Grandfather of Derwin Crockett Merrill.

History

In his early life, Olonzo attended the Richmond public school system and from his father's private teacher. From the schooling, Olonzo attended the University of Deseret (U of U) from 1887-1888. In 1892, Olonzo was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Olonzo was set apart a Seventy by Apostle Francis M. Lyman on March 12, 1892 and served as the Mission President of the Samoan Mission. He served until 1895.

After his return, he moved his family to Preston, Idaho and operated a cheese factory. In 1907, Olonzo purchased his mother's old farm. During this time, Olonzo began purchasing Holstein cattle and grew a substantial farm. In 1912, Olonzo was asked to participate in the creation of an annual Holstein cattle show, later renamed Black & White Days. Olonzo was the second oldest member of the events organization.

When Olonzo's son Casper began his ice cream business in 1925, Olonzo aided materially with the means and efforts to make the venture a success. Today, Casper's Ice Cream is one of the country's largest ice cream exports in the United States.

Black & White Days

In 1912, Clarence L. Funk approached Olonzo about organizing a dairy show in Richmond and coordinated the event on the second floor of the Richmond State Bank. The show would be held at today's Harris Dairy land, off the west side of U.S. Highway 91, north of Richmond and Lee's Marketplace. They walked their cattle to the open field, and a judge on horseback rode through the crowd of cattle.

After the day was over, the men went home, waiting for another day to host another show. Unfortunately, due to a nationwide Hoof-and-Mouth Disease, the country halted all cattle, pig, horse, and sheep shows. This went on from 1913-1914. After the disease was contained and numbers were low, the first annual Western Heritage Holstein Cattle Show commenced in May of 1915. The show was later renamed Black & White Days.

Family

Olonzo married Martha Luacine Whittle on Dec 13, 1888. From her, Olonzo had two children, Olonzo David Merrill Jr., a World War II veteran, and Casper Whittle Merrill, founder of Casper's Ice Cream and a World War II Reserves veteran. From Casper, Olonzo is the grandfather of Richmond Mayor Derwin Crockett Merrill.

Olonzo entered the practice of polygamy on Feb 23, 1904 in Logan, Utah, by marrying Mary Laura Hansen. From her, Olonzo had nine children. Their son Samuel Wood Merrill served in World War II.

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