A Bit of Merck History

My Uncle Matt (Mathias J. Merck) wrote about his memories of his family in an item distributed at the 1989 Merck Family Reunion. Matt was born in South Russia in 1901 and was nearly nine years old when his father brought the family to South America on their quest for a better life. It is now known, after reading some of the translated letters of Joseph Merck and relatives in der Staats-Anzeiger newspaper archives that Joseph considered returning to South Russia when he found life difficult in Argentina. However, brothers-in-law in the United States encouraged him to give North America a try first. Following about three years there, the journey eventually brought them to the United States. Rather than repeat Uncle Matt's report here, his written memories can be found at the Merck Family website which is linked here.