Merit Drane was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, April 14, 1837, and was the son or Stephen T. and Bertha (Ford) Drane. He was raised and educated at home, and assisted his father in running the farm until 1860. In March of that year he set out for Texas, believing it would be the place that he could fulfill his dreams. He traveled through Louisville on a Mississippi packet for New Orleans, then up the Red River to Shreveport and from there overland to Navarro County. He began farming 640 acres of land seven miles west of Corsicana, on Brier Creek, and had much success. In 1874 he decided to relocate into Corsicana in order to provide a better education for his large and growing family. Merit used his background in agriculture, and went into business with John S. Gibson. They specialized in agricultural implements and other related machinery. By 1885, Mr. Drane remained the only man in charge of the business and took his son, Frank N, into the partnership, under the name of M. Drane & Son. The Dranes prospered in Corsicana and they both owned stock in the Texas Building and Loan Association, and an Oil Mill. Merit was instrumental in the building up of the public school system, the State Orphan's Home, the Cotton Compress, and the securing of the St. Louis & Texas Narrow Gauge Railroad coming to Corsicana. Mr. Drane returned to Clay village, Kentucky and was married to Malvina Todd, the daughter of Louis and Louisa (Lowery) Neal, on December 6, 1860. Eight children blessed their union, Frank N., Ora B., Florence, Ruth, Lena, Maud, and her twin May, followed by Merit Jr., all born and raised in Texas. The Dranes were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Merit was a member of the Masonic order, and a Knight Templar. Biography by "Robert Scott" PatrickSAR, SRT, SCV, SJD, HOSBD

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47074866/meritt-drane