The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
A SOLON BOY WILL Be
GRAND PATRIARCH
Interested In the Up.Building of the
State of Maine.

An exchange has the following to
say regarding Leon S. Merrill of Sol
on, one of Somerset County's promi-
nent citizens;
Leon S. Merrill of Solon. who on
the 21st day of this month will be
elected grand patriarch of the Grand
Encampment of Maine, is one of the
best known and thoroughly equipped
members of the great fraternity of
Odd Fellows in this State. Doubtless
there is not another member whose
acquaintance is more extensive at
home and abroad than is his. For
several years past he has been an
untiring worker in all branches of
Odd Fellowship and Is a student in all
matters relating to the literature and
Jurisprudence of the order. A num-
ber of years ago, when the grand
lodge and grand encampment decided
to keep a permanent representative
in the sovereign grand lodge, there
by increasing the jurisdictions infiu-
ence there, Mr.. Merrill was selected
on the part of the grand lodge, where
doubtless he will be retained for
many years. He has now completed
four years in the supreme body and
is a member of the committee on leg
islation, one of the great committees
which shape the legislation for the
entire order. This position is one
where the talents of Mr.. Merrill have
full sway and where he makes his in
fluence felt. He is an interesting and
forceful speaker and no Odd Fellow
in Maine is more frequently called up
on to address audiences than is he.
Mr.. Merrill is native of Solon the
son of Stephen and Jerusha DEAN
Merrill, and was born Dec. %, 1864.
Like many of our successful men, he
was born and reared on farm.
From the time he was 16 years Of age
to 25 he taught school, portion of
each year to earn money with which
to pay expenses at school. He was
educated in the common schools of
Solon and at the Maine medical
school.
After graduating from the latter, on
account of Ill health he was obliged
to give up the practice of medicine
and turn his attention in another
direction. This as a great cross, for
his ambition was to become a prac-
ticing physician. For 20 years he
has been the proprietor of general
store, and still conducts the business.
For four years he was postmaster un-
der President Harrison, several years
a member of the schoolboard, and two
years superintendent of schools. In
1894 he became interested in the
creamery business, and in 1900 be-
came the manager and auditor Of the
Solon Creamery Co. Under his man
agement the Solon creamery became
one of the leading institutions Of its
kind in Maine, doing an extensive
business in this and other states.
In 1907 Mr.. Merrill was appointed
State dairy inspector with the Maine
department of agriculture, at the
same time closing out his creamery in
terests. At the present time he has
charge of the dairy division of the de-
partment, which includes all matters
relating to the dairy interests in this
State, and also the new work autho-
rized by the recent Legislature, such
as gathering of Agricultural statis-
tics, employment of farm help and
experimental seed work. This takes
him in every county of the State,
where his superior knowledge of this
work Is one of great assistance to the
farming community. In order to be
thoroughly equipped, he has visited
many states of the West, where he
has made interests a study, which ac-
quired knowledge has been impaired
to the farmers of Maine. Already his
good work is bearing fruit and will
continue to be of help for many years
to come.
Mr.. Merrill Is a member of the
State grange. where he Is also appre-
cated by his farmer constituents
He has assisted in the organization
of the Maine Creamery association
and for several years was its secre-
tary. At present he Is secretary of
the Maine Dairymens association