From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 850-851
 
CLARENCE MERENESS.  One of the worthy native sons of Walworth county is 
Clarence MERENESS, a progressive farmer of Sharon township, who is easily the 
peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood 
and good citizenship.  He is what he is from natural endowment and self-
culture, having attained his present standing solely through the impelling 
force of his own strong nature.  He possesses not only those powers that 
render men efficient in the material affairs of the community, but also the 
gentler traits that mark genial and helpful social intercourse.  In his daily 
affairs he manifests a generous regard for his fellows, and he therefore 
commands the good will of the people of the southwestern part of Walworth 
county, where he has made his home since the pioneer epoch, in fact has spent 
his life.
 
Mr. MERENESS was born on September 30, 1582, in Sharon township, this county.  
He is the son of Gerit and Elizabeth M. (SEBER) MERENESS, both natives of the 
state of New York, who came to Wisconsin and settled in Sharon township in 
1842, buying a farm of one hundred acres, when the country was new and 
sparsely settled, and here they established a good home through close 
application and hard work, remaining on the place until 1852, when they sold 
out and bought another farm, where the subject now lives, and this was the 
family home until 1880, when the father retired from work and moved to 
Delavan, and there remained quietly until his death in 1890, his widow 
surviving until February 7, 1901.
 
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gerit MERENESS, named as follows: Mrs. 
Emma F. FARNSWORTH, of Delavan, this county; John L. is living in Oklahoma; 
William Newton died in 1864; James Edward lives in Iowa; Wilbur died in 1907; 
Clarence, of this sketch; Dayton died in 1858; Fayette died in 1858 also; 
Dwight died May 30, 1900.
 
Clarence MERENESS, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, where he 
worked hard when a boy in the summer months, attending the district schools in 
the winter time in Sharon township, and later at Ripon College, Ripon, 
Wisconsin.  He began life by teaching school, which he followed successfully 
for a period of twelve years, and then he turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits, which he has continued to the present time.  He owns one hundred and 
fifty-two acres of well improved and well tilled land in Sharon township, 
where he carries on general farming and stock raising.  Politically, he is a 
Republican and is a member of the Congregational church.
 
Mr. MERENESS was married on July 25, 1888 to Luella J. SPOONER, daughter of 
Alfred S. and Sarah M. (BRISTOL) SPOONER, and to this union two children have 
been born: Luella whose birth occurred on June 22, 1889, is a student at 
Beloit; Albert N., born August 27, 1894, died October 3, 1895.
 
Mr. MERENESS has always taken considerable interest in public affairs and 
while he has been a close observer and kept well posted on current and 
political events he has never sought public office.
 
Submitted by Carol