St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-18


Hon. Orlando c. Merriman was born July 9th,
1927, in st. Lawrence county, New York, and
was married to Miss Rose Herring, of that
county, at the age of 81 years, He soon after
emigrated to Wisconsin, in which state he resided
five years, removing in 1859 to st. Anthony,where
he has lived since. During the first few years of
his residence, in the then small village, he prac-
ticed law, but in 1870 ne embarked in the more
lucrative numbering business by becoming silent
partner of the firm of L. Butler g. Co. After
ward, in 1878, he formed co-partnership, also
in the lumber business under the style of Mer-
riman, Barrows g. Co., which firm is still in pros
porous existence. In 1862 he calamity responded
to his countrys call for volunteers for three
years service or during the war, by enlisting as
private in Col. Crooks regiment, the Sixth Min
nesota volunteers. 1t was at the time of the
horrible Sioux Indian massacre. Under COM
mand of Gen, Sibley he served fifteen days as
private when Gov. Ramsey issued to him a cap
tain commission. Owing to physical disability
he was compelled to reluctantly resign his COM
mission at the expiration of two years active
duty.
In 1860 Capt Merriman was elected to the may
orally OF st. Anthony, as the nominee Of the
Democratic party, and as against the candidacy
VI CuLLtT, ISpuUtlCdu uOlulNee, ny u
round majority. For three successive terms he
was reelected to the position without opposition
Shortly after the union of the .twin cities' at
the Falls-Minneapolis and st. Anthony-he was
honored with sitting at the head of the munich
pal government again. He was at that time
nominated by the Republicans and endorsed by
the Democrats. This fact will give
the reader some idea of his great popularity
held by even his political opponents To go
back. During the struggle in which the State
university was threatend with imminent fnan-
cial difficulty and came near being swamped,
the board of regents under whose manipulations
the heavy Indebtedness had been incurred, was
legislated out of power and new board APP
pointed, comprising j. S. Pisbury, Capt. Merri-
man and John Nichols. The new board was
organized by electing Mr.. Pillsbury president,
Mr.. Merriman secretary, and Mr.. Nichols
treasurer. After hard and determined
struggle these gentlemen wiped out the debt. 1t
was an an undertaking involving an immeasur-
able amount of hard and persistent work. Finally
the preparatory department was placed in sue
cessful operation, and from that beginning has
become of the established and recog-
nized educational institutions of the northwest
ern states.
Mayor Rand appointed the object of this brief
sketch to position on the board of water COM
missioners Of Minneapolis, in which capa-
city he served the city most
faithfully and to great purpose for
two years. Mayor Ames recognizing his ster-
ling worth, he having served one year under his
administration, reappointed him, but, unfortu-
nately for the city he failed to qualify, pleading
business necessities. He was one of the fore
most in giving the Waters pump a trial and from
that the city water works system has become one
of the best in the west