Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-28

Evans, noted politician Of that
time, and the Hon. Alpheus Lyon, an
early resident of the town. His edu-
cation was acquired in the public and
high schools of his native town, he
being a graduate of the old Water
vile High school in the class of 1859.
He attended the Wateryllle Liberal
Institute. which was in the wooden
building at the corner of. School and
Elm streets. which has since been
turned about and made into a dwell
ing house. He was engaged until
1868 in the boot and shoe business in
Watervlle. wholesale, retail, and
manufa curing branches, and in that
year went to Washington, y. c..
where through the influence of the
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin. he was ap-
pointed to a clerkship in the pension
office June 3, 1865. He rose through
the various grades until he held the
position of principal examiner, I'M
der an act of Congress creating that
Office He is one of the few persons
enjoying the distinction Of having
served continuously in the United
States pension Office at Washington
for a period of over 81 years.
He resided in Falls Church, Va, for
about 40 years. going TO Washington
on the morning Of every business
Gay. Mr.. Merrifeld is Republican
in politics. The town of Merlifield.
Farfax county. Va, was named in his
honor He is director of the Falls
1,oJ
positions Of trust and responsibility
in that town.
He was for many years a member
and deacon of the Falls Church Con-
eregational church. He is member
Of Watervile Lodge. F. and 4. NJ,
and for number OF years was a
member of the Congregational Club
o. Washington. d. c., holding the
Offices of president, secretary and
treasurer.
Mr.. Merrifield first married Sept.
%. 1868, Ellen Augusta King of
Washington. D. C.. who died March
Il. 1892, and had children. Edith
Octavia and Everett Plat. Edith
Octavia married Rev Arsene Is.
Schmavonian of Constantinople,
Turkey. where they resided IS years.
subsequently,, Mr. Schmavonian be-
came the pastor Of the First Presbv-
terrain church Of CaZenova, \. Y,
where they now reside. Mr.. Schma-
vonian was educated at the Divinity
School in Hartford, Conn. and lived
for a time in Falls Church and in
HYDE Park. Mass. Their children are
Gregory. born in Falls Church in
1900. Margaret Virginia. horn in
Constantinople, August 16. 1908. and
Arsinie who is 10 years old. who was
also born in Constantinople.
Mr.. Mortified married second Sept.
1895. Martha Frances. born in Oak
land. Me, daughter of George Rice.
Mrs Merrifleld died in January, 1907.
He married third, January IS, 1908.
Margaret Gray. daughter of William
Buckner and Margaret GRAY Dick
irson, and granddaughter Of William
and Jane tBuckner) Dickinson, the
latter a native of Caroline county. Va.
Mr.. Merrifield during his connec-
ton with the pension department had
many interesting experiences in his
research work for the department
He came across many interesting
articles including several autographs.
letters written by George Washing
ton. and when Congress by special
act gave a pension OF $4,000 year to
the widow OF Abraham Lincoln. it
was Mr.. Merrifield. who as head Of
that department. signed her pension.
He tells many interesting events.
one OF which concerns the execution
of the conspirators in 1867. AS is
well known. Wilkes Booth was be-
lieved to be not the only party con-
cerned in the assassination of Lin
coin. Meetings were held at the home
OF Mrs. Suratt and she and several
others were hanged. Mr.. Merrifield
had a card to the execution. but did
not feel like witnessing the hanging
of a woman so did not attend.
Nevertheless. day or so before the
sinister event took place, he visited
the spot. stood on the seaffold where
q short time afterwards the con-
spirators swung off into Eternity
Though Yankee born and bred. MIR,