Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-30

Skowheean, Me. Oct. 29.-John
Palmer Merrill one of Skowhcgan's
most prominent citizens and largest
property holders, passed away shortly
after | o'clock Monday morning. fol-
lowing an illness dating back in real
ingly only covering the last few
months. Patience was a characteristic
of the deceased and this had been most
noticeable during the long sickness,
For n number of weeks he had been
confined to his room, but his friends
were trusting that he yet had some
time to stay on earth. Members of
the family had been aware. however,
that for the last few days the in
valid had been much worse and to
them the end was not unexpected. The
funeral services are to he conducted
from the COhurn avenue residence on
Wednesday at II \. NJ, with Rev.
Charles II. Mckinney of the Island
Avenue CongrC gationHl church ofiCiat-
ing
J. Palmer Merrill was born in the
town of Dexter. Ian. Is, 1879. and cam"
to SkOWhegan in the winter of '63 and
ga. He was the son of the late Mr..
and Mrs Richard HusSeN Merrill and
received his education in the public
schools of Dexter and SkoWhcgan,
completing his education SO far as
text books were concerned at SkOWhe-
gan lIich school. His father in early
Years had been by trad" a cobblcr and
after removing to Skowhegan plycd
that trade here. eventually working
into the retail shoe business. Early
in life. his son, Just now deceased,
became associated with him in the
shoe enterprise and the firm Of +. u.
Merrill &, Son hcc&m" widely known,
The elder man died in 1898 and after
that the junior partner continued the
business. During the past Summer it
has been impossible for MIR. Me rill
to pass all Of his time at tho store
because of increasi3" feehleness but
ofteo he vas found back at the desk.
giving the same courteous attention to
his customers and WithHl the same
fair bargains which lad characterized
his whole career. \ few weeks ago
the business was disposed Of a trans
action which relieved the sick man of
much anxiety and care during the last
DAYS of his life
But few men in SkoWhccaN have
ever represented more wealth that Mr..
Merrill. but in spite of this fact he was
modest in the extreme and loved the
simpler things Of this world bet en-
than show and grandeur. To his home
and his family he was most "cner-
Gus. however, and the attractive" resi-
dcncc where he has resided since hi;
marriage bears evidence t. the fact
that the dead man loved the h"autifll
Mr.. Merrill was married in Scptem-
her 1883, II Miss Elizabeth Powers Of
Stctson, a lady Of much hriliancn anl
charming personality. Mrs. Merrill II
widely known throughout the state as
q club woman and roetosS. having
published one or more volumes Of her
poems. They became the parents of
two sons. Alonzo Powers Morrill, and
Maurice Palmer Merrill The elder Of
these sons was associated with his
father in the shoe business after the
completion Of his studies at Bowdoin
College. His health. however. failed
him and few vnrrS ago hp SlIc-
cumbed to a lon" illness Thi. wa y
blow from which the father never on
tlIeiN recovered ana IN TACT since mat
sad event has always seemed much
more onfecbled The other son IS a
rising young attorney having Offices
in the y. Palmer Merrill hnildnc on
Water street and. having lately mar
ried. has taken up his residence noXt
door to the old home. Resides those
relatives there is an elder siste". Mic;
lane Merrill. who rerides in tho house
hold Of the deceased
Mr.. Merrill was politically n Re-
publican and was exceedingly well Rood
on the affairs and conditions of his
country. He had never hold public
office in his town, county or state. and
vas not n meAahnr Of any church a..
lodge. He occasionally attended snr-
vices at the Congregational church and
was interested in all good works in
the town and community at large. In
every sense Mr.. Merrill will he widely
missed and q large circle Of friends
throughout Somerset county will
greatly regret his passing