Hulett C. Merritt

Hulett Clinton Merritt
Born	Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	13 January 1956(1956-01-13) (aged 83) Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Real estate developer, investor, ranch owner, art enthusiast
Known for	Development of Texas City, Texas; Merritt Building in Los Angeles; major shareholder and chairman of U.S. Steel; owner of United Electric and Power Company; owner of Tagus Ranch

Hulett Clinton Merritt (August 17, 1872 – January 13, 1956) was a prominent American figure known for his work as a real estate developer, investor, ranch owner, and art enthusiast. Originating from Duluth, Minnesota, he engaged in property sales there, played a key role in the development of Texas City, Texas, and made significant real estate investments in Los Angeles, including the erection of the Merritt Building. As a major shareholder and board member of U.S. Steel, Merritt also controlled the United Electric and Power Company, which established electrical and gas systems across 17 Californian municipalities such as Santa Barbara and San Diego. Moreover, he possessed an extensive ranch located in Tulare County.

Early life

Hulett Merritt was born on August 17, 1872, in Duluth, Minnesota. He was the son of Louis J. Merritt, who co-discovered the Mesabi Range and collaborated with industrialist John D. Rockefeller in ventures involving mining, railroads, and Great Lakes steamship operations. Hulett had one brother named Lewis N. Merritt and two sisters.

Career

At 16 years old, Merritt commenced his professional journey working alongside his father on the construction of the Mesabi, Duluth and Northwestern Railway. Following his father's passing, he inherited interests in the Mesabi Range and partnered with Rockefeller to sell these assets to U.S. Steel for a sum of US$81 million.

Merritt initially focused on real estate transactions in Duluth and contributed to the co-development of Texas City, Texas. After moving to California in 1897, he invested heavily in Los Angeles properties, culminating in the completion of the Merritt Building downtown in 1915. His ventures also included building a racing speedway and operating an antique shop located in Pasadena.

By age 28, Merritt had secured a position on the board of U.S. Steel and became its largest holder of common stock; he eventually assumed the role of chairman. In 1900, he acquired a controlling 70% stake in the United Electric and Power Company, overseeing the expansion of electricity and gas services to seventeen cities throughout California before selling the company to Southern California Edison.

His ownership extended to a vast 7,000-acre property known as Tagus Ranch in Tulare County, which specialized in peach cultivation—at one point accounting for 10% of the world's canned peach supply. Merritt’s portfolio also covered investments across various sectors including gold, silver, iron, coal, chromium mining operations; paper manufacturing; banking; hospitality; food service; industrial production; steamship lines; sugar farming; cattle ranching; and fisheries.

Personal life and death

In July 1892, Merritt married Rosaline Ollivier from Saginaw, Michigan. She was descended from Marseille businessman Démosthène Ollivier and was related as niece to French Prime Minister Émile Ollivier. The couple resided at the Hulett C. Merritt mansion in Pasadena, California. They had one son, Hulett C. Merritt Jr., who served during World War I and later managed Tagus Ranch until his death in 1945. Rosaline passed away two years before her husband in 1954.

Merritt was passionate about collecting art with a focus on French and English antique furnishings as well as Napoleonic documents. His memberships included the Annandale Golf Club, the Bolsa Chica Gun Club, and the prestigious California Club. Additionally, he chaired the board of Pasadena Methodist Church and supported prominent local events such as the Rose Parade and the East–West Shrine Game.

He passed away on January 13, 1956, at age 83 in Santa Barbara. His final resting place is Mountain View Cemetery located in Altadena, California. Surviving him were his brother Huntington residing in Stockton; sister Evelyn Reed from El Cerrito; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

At his passing, Merritt’s fortune was valued at . His legacy was bequeathed to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren under stipulations that required quarterly affidavits confirming abstinence from smoking or alcohol consumption for ninety days prior. Male heirs were also obligated to adopt the Merritt surname by age twenty-two if their name differed at the time of his death.