He was named after Uncle Van Rensulaer Merritt, husband of CharlottePu rvis.
5/11/1898 He mustered into Co H, 1st WA Vol to serve in the SpanishAm erican War as a Private.
3/6/1899 He was wounded in action in the trenches at San Pedro Macatii n the Philippines along with 6 of his buddies.
11/1/1899 San Francisco Presidio, CA. He received his discharge froms ervice.
Bef 1903 Kittitas Co, WA. They joined his family in WA beforedaughte r Stella was born.
4/21/1910 E 3trd St, 2-Wd Cle Elum, Kittitas Co, WA. The censusliste d him as Vanroncler, 31, a school janitor, married 9 years toLondy H, 2 5, who had birthed 2 children but only 1 still survived.Stella V, 7, w as their only child. In the same area were brothersFrank and Charles .
