Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-26
EX-GOVERNOR MERRILL DYING.
Former Iowa Chief Executive suffer-
$685. = Z l,s. ~. l.sia

Former Iowa Chief Executive suffers
stroke of Paralysis.
Los Angeles, Aug. 26.-Ex-Governor
Samuel Merrill, OF Iowa, who has re-
sided here for some time, suffered a
stroke of paralysis and is thought to be
dying. He was injured severely In an
electric car accident several months
ago and has never entirely recovered
from that injury.
Samuel Merrill was born in the town
of Turner, Oxford, Maine, Aug. Z, 1922,
and is of English ancestry. At the age
of is he moved with his parents to Bux
ton, where his time was mostly engaged
in turns at teaching and attending
school until he attained his majority.
Having determined to make teaching
profession, he set out for that purpose
toward the sunny south, but, as he says,
he was born too far north" for his po-
litical comfort. Suspicion having been
raised as to his abolitionist procliyities,
and finding the elements not altogether
congenial, he soon abandoned the land
of the palm and palmetto for the old
Granite state, where ne engaged for
several years In farming. In 1897 he
moved to Tanworth, N. H., where he
embarked in the mercantile business, In
company with a brother. In this. as in
all his Industrial enterprises, he was
| quite successful. In 1854 he was elected
to the New Hampshire legislature. at
| the same time Gen. N. b. Baker was
| governor Of the state. In 1855 he was re-
turned a second time to the legislature.
Not being satisfied with the limited re-
j n !,
determined to try his fortune on the
| broad prairies of the new and more fer
tile west. Accordingly, in 1856, he
i turned his face toward the setting sun.
He made final settlement at McGreg-
i or, Ia, where he established a branch
i house of the old firm. McGregor was
I then small village with a few scatter
4 Ing houses, and surrounded by a coun-
4 try with sparse population. But i'm
Emigration poured in rapidly, and with
4 increased poulation their trade in
4 creased until their house became one of
4 the most extensive establishments on
u the upper Mississippi river. This result
was owing to his correct and energetic
& business qualities. In Iowa he was
q equally fortunate in securing the good
4 will of those who knew him. His neigh
Il bors, and those who had dealings with
him, found man, honest in business,
4 fair in his dealings, social in his rela-
] lions, and benevolent in his disposition.
Il He took an active interest in the pros
4 perity of the town and ever held an
! open hand to all needed charities. These
traits of character had drawn around
] him, but not realized or intended by
himself a host of personal admirers
This good will resulted In his being
] nominated for q seat in the state legis-
lature, and the only one elected on his
ticket. The session of the legislature
which convened in January, 1860, was
, composed of the best minds of the state
. and did more real, hard service thar
. any session held in Iowa before or since
that date. He continued in business al
McGregor util the summer of 1852, wher
!. he was commissioned colonel of the
Twenty first Iowa volunteer infantry
. proceeding Immediately to Missouri
!. where active service awaited him. A
!. the battle of Black River Bridge Col
. Merrill was severely wounded, and thi:
brought his military career to a close
!. Suffering from his wounds, he resigned
. his commission and returned to Nc
! Gregor. but was unable to attend to hi.
!. private affairs for many months, ant
I was still, at times, a sufferer from hi!
! tokens of remembrance received OF
. the battlefields of freedom. In 1867 HI
!. was selected by the republicans as thei
). standard bearer for governor, an,
/. again in 1869 was elected to the sam
j. position. and probably no incumbent o
!. that office ever devoted himself NOR
/. earnestly to the public good. He wa
one of the organizers of the Citizens
National Bank, of which he is now pres
ident Has been twice married, first t
Miss Catherine Thoms. who died in 1S41
} but fourteen months after their mar
.. riage. In January, 1851. he was agai
3 married, his second wife being a Mis-
Hill, of Buxton. Maine. BY this unto
= they have family of two sons and
daughter living. Governor Merrill ha
been living in California for fiftee