The Portland daily press., 1888-11-29
ADAMS nUsE MERRILL.
The Pioneer OF the State Industry In
Plscatiquls County.

The many friends of Hon. Adams ii. Mer-
rill, of Williamsburg. will regret to learn of
his death, which occurred Tuesday at the
age Of SO years.
Adams Huse Merrill was the pioneer in
the slate business, which Is today one Of the
most important industries in Piscatisquis
county He was born at Belfast April 3,
1906 He only attended the public schools
until II years Of age, but through life be has
been close student and is in every sense Of
the word sslf-made man.
When 16 years Of age his father moved on
TO farm in Williamsburg in this county.
His first business in life was that OF farmer.
About 1910 he engaged in numbering on the
east branch Of the Penobscot river and was
successful in his undertakings. He resided
for time at East Corinth and built their the
fine residence now owned by Hon.John Nor
rison.
In 1852 he moved from CorInth to Williams
burg, where he bought the land where his
quarrying operations have since been carried
on, of two Welshmen, William Hughs and
Benjamin Williams and that year he conf
menced the business OF quarrying roohng
slate. He also purchased other tracts Of
land In that town and became an extensive
land owner there.
Nnc0 he enL6TcU upon TIC DuslucoS OI udu-
featuring slate, there was no way OF I. ans
porting It to market except by drawing Il TO
tide water at Bangor with mules and horses
and then shipping 1t to Boston by vessels.
Almost any other person would have been
discouraged from attempting to build up
new enterprise under such circumstances.
But his indomitable energy triumphed, and
he has lis ed to reap'the bOutlful harvest for
his labors in those dark days, as the present
profitable and thriving slate business Of
which he was the manager, amply asserts.
When the subject Of building the Bangor
Il Piscatiquis railroad into the Piscatiluis
valley was first agltated, he was foremost la
his efforts to secure II. He was one Of the
very first to call the attention Of the public
to the demands that existed for a railroad.
His letters to the newspapers at the time rel
ative to this matter and TO the resources OF
this county, aided very materially In bring
ing about this result. lie has represented
his district In the legislature Of Maine, and
held public Offices In his town. For many
years he was a prominent Republican per
sonage in county, district and state conven-
tions, and always took lively interest In
the welfare of that party. He has Tor many
years been an active anu worthy member OF
the Congregational church. He married the
eldest daughter OF Capt. Ebenezer Greenllef,
who was In former years known all over
Maine as a prominent land surveyor.
His life has been busy one as well as a
successful one, and he was the originator OF
the slate manufacturing business In that
county. Its present thrifty condition Is
largely due to his exertions under very unfa-
vorable conditions, and when ''the times"
were not as good as now.
In those early days, before a railroad into
that county had been dreamed OF. he beheld
riches in rocks and had faith In the unbound
ed natural wealth within the realm Of Piscat-
aquis county. He went to work with will
TO develop ii, and by overcoming numerous
obstacles, which we at this day cannot possib-
1v annraofafa ha gucceadpd In building nm an
enterprise which has not only been an honor
10 its founder, but has also benefited the
whole county and all Of its industrious citi-
Zens.