Edgar Jackson Klock (Abt. 1863 – 1940) was a life member of the Herkimer Historical Society. An article in the 12 November 1993 edition of the Utica Observer-Dispatch described him as an avid antique book collector. In his possession at the time was one of 3 copies known to be in existence of Baron Von Steuben’s drill book for the United States Army. Additionally, he was considered a dedicated genealogist having researched numerous family trees for women who wished to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) including his daughter, Cleore, who had 9 bars on her DAR insignia. He is also credited with writing History of the town of Schuyler.
In New York DAR GRC, series 1, volume 9, 1927-1928, Unpublished Family Bible Records, p.134, under the heading “Ward Records” there is an entry for Phebe Ward and her husband, an “Elijah Mervill”. This is the only reference to John Merville being called Elijah. John and Phoebe did give 2 of their sons the name Elijah. This document was given to me by Ms. Ann Andersen in 2011 and has caused me consternation ever since. In 2013, I spoke with Edgar Klock’s grandson, Glen Hyer, hoping that Edgar’s records could be retrieved. Mr. Hyer told me it was his understanding Edgar wrote a book about Herkimer families but it was destroyed in a fire while in possession of the copyist; after Edgar’s death much of his possessions were sold by his daughter, Cleore, to antique collectors; but, it’s possible there is still a collection of old papers in the hands of another relative.
