Hulett C. Merritt

Hulett Clinton Merritt (August 17, 1872 – January 13, 1956) was an American real estate developer, investor, rancher and art collector. He sold real estate in his hometown of Duluth, Minnesota, developed Texas City, Texas, with other businessmen, and invested in real estate in Los Angeles, California, where he built the Merritt Building. He was a director and large shareholder of U.S. Steel. As a majority shareholder of the United Electric and Power Company, he installed electricity and gas in 17 cities in California, including Santa Barbara and San Diego. He owned a large ranch in Tulare County.

Early life Hulett C. Merritt was born on August 17, 1872, in Duluth, Minnesota. His father, Louis J. Merritt, discovered the Mesabi Range with others. He was also a business partner of John D. Rockefeller, with whom he invested in mining, railroads and steamships in the Great Lakes. Merritt had a brother, Lewis N. Merritt, and two sisters.

Career Merritt began his career by working for his father at the age of 16. Upon his father's death, Merritt inherited the entire Mesabi Range, and he became Rockefeller's partner. He also built a racing speedway,

In 1900, Merritt purchased 70% of the United Electric and Power Company,

Personal life and death

Merritt married Rosaline Ollivier of Saginaw, Michigan, in July 1892. She was the granddaughter of Démosthène Ollivier, a businessman from Marseille, France, and the niece of French Prime Minister Émile Ollivier. His wife predeceased him in 1954. He was also the chairman of the board of the Pasadena Methodist Church. at the age of 83. His estate was inherited by his four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The male heirs would also have to change their surnames to Merritt before the age of 22 if they had a different name at the time of his death.