St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-08

lucSuay evening, aSeu SlAty-SeVcu.
Sherburn s. Merrill was born in Alexan-
Gria, Grafton county, New Hampshire, July
%, 1918. His father, Moses Merrill,
was farmer, and the future great railroader
was bred to that profession and educated in
the common schools. At the age of sixteen
he began to work for himself. He first found
employment about hotel in Concord, New
Hampshire, where he stayed for year. For
six years Immediately following this exper-
fence he worked in the furnishing house OF
Moses Kimball in Boston. He next served
as a clerk in hotel at Troy, New York, and
later set up little hotel of his own at Bristol,
in his native state. He had an interest
in wooden mandatory at the same place,
and remained there Until 1850. In Novem-
her. 1850, he came to Milwaukee aud began
his career as railway man, his first expert
ence in that capacity being gained as
FOREMAN OF A GANG
of men employed in grading section of the
Milwaukee & Mississippi railway, which is
now the Prairie du CHEN division of the Chi
cago, Milwaukee q St. Paul. The energy
and efficiency with which he deported him
sCll III iDlS HutiUle CdDdClly at
tracted attention from those higher
in command and led to his rapid promotion.
From foreman in the construction depart
ment he became conductor, then paymaster,
then assistant superintendent of the road,
E. II Brodhead at the time being superin-
tendent. Mr.. Merrill was next appointed
superintendent of the Milwaukee & Water
town railroad, which is now, like the Milwau-
kee d Mississippi, Il part of the Chicago.
Milwaukee & st. Paul system. He next be-
came superintendent of the La Crosse
IL Milwaukee road. now known
as the Northern division of the Chicago,
Milwaukee q st. Paul. This position he re-
signed at the close of 1864, his health having
became
IMPAIRED BY OvERwoRK,
and with the view of recuperating, away
from the trying influence OF the lake winds,
he accepted the superintendency of the Wi
mona IL St. Peter railroad. 1t was ut the
close Of the latter engagement in July, 1865,
that Mr.. Merrill was called to the command
ing position in connection with which
is memory will always be associ-
ated, the SUPPLEMENTARY of the Chicago
Milwaukee and ST. Paul railroad. The cor
poralion was at that time known as the Mil
waukec and st. Paul. the name of Chicago
being al led to the title Mt Il later day. The
immense system, which has since expanded
until it includes more miles OF railroad than
are owned by any other corporation in the
world, has remained nominally under his
charge from that day to this His practical
direction and superntendency of its affairs
NEVER FOR ONE HOUR RELAXED.
81 H., ,,Fi 4
manager until he was stricken eighteen
months ago, with paralytic attack which
has ended in his death. Until sudden breaking
down Of his constitution which eventually
terminated his life, MIR. Merrill's whole ex-
istence was merged in his business, SO com
pletely that the great railroad seemed in a
very real sense little more than a manifesto
ton OF tremendous individuality.
His personal attention was devoted
to every portion of the line and his
tireless energy dominated every where. His
figure was known to every man that worked
for the road in any capacity. Strict in dis
cipliue he was always just, and the prompt
and unhinchng obedience To orders, which
he always cxacted, was known TO be nothing
more than he would himself have cheerfuliy
accorded had his place been to obey
instead of command. Mr.. Merrill was
not specially refined but vigorous,
plucky, and enterprising. He was IA
man of powerful frame, Of obdurAte will and
splendid fighting qualities, which were man
ifested in the many wars into which he en-
tered with rival companies. He often
lived for weeks on bis special car, visiting
every part of the widely stretched lines of
his company. His death will be seriously
regretted throughout the northwest aud all
the railroad circles OF the cUunlIy, where he
was highly admired and respected. He was
very wealthy, his estate being estimated at
20 0on onO