The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-11-29

studied with the object in view of be-
coming an NJ. ID This man who
trained to become doctor and who
after a late change, has made a Won
derful success in another field, is no
other than our own Dean Leon Ste
phen Merrill. No man on, the campus
has led a more interesting or busy
life than he and none are more popu-
lar
As far back as he can remember,
Dean Merrill has known a great deal
about farms, because he was born on
one. Ii was big farm in Scion.
Maine. and was ably managed by its
owner. who was Leon Merrill's father,
Stephen Merrill Leon was one Of
two boys, and just as much as Leon
loved the farm and farming, just so
much Stephen his brother, hated it..
Both went to the village school at Sol
on and when Leon entered high school
there, he knew that he wanted to go
to Bowdoin College as the first step to
becoming a doctor. 1t wasn't an easy
task. however. and he had to teach
school to earn the money, to go to col
lege. His first position as teacher
he held when he was Is years old
At Bowdon 1t wasn't Leon Merrill
any more, but "Chub," and 1t Is said
that he drew friends to him in those
days just as easy as he does now. He
was graduated in 1889 and started the
practice OF medicine in his home town.
But just When success in his chosen
field doomed before him, his eyes
failed, and for a time it was feared
that he would lose his sight He was
forced to give up his practice. al
though he still kept his office, and he
entered the drug business.
His experience in the village phar-
macy was the first OF the transition
from medicine to business, and yet in
a comparatively short time he was
given the management of the five
creameries in this state of big con-
Germ dealing solely in cream. What
office practice in medicine he had re-
tanned was entirely given UP and he
was thoroughly interested in business.
He was soon appointed State Dairy
Instructor and his visits to all the dali
ries in Maine took him over the entire
state and brought him many new
friends.
In 1910 he came to- the University,
and from the beginning was head or
the agricultural department. He was
not, however, appointed dean until
Dean Victor Gardiner went to Oregon.
Later he was appointed director OF the
Agricultural Extension Service. a
work in which he was the prime NOV
err. and it was he who obtained an ap-
preparation from the Rockefeller
Foundation to give the work a real
start. Through his efforts, agricnl-
tural extension in this state has be-
come vital factor to Maine farming
and he directs the work of many
agents throughout the state. The
work of the Boys and Girls Agrieul-
tural Clubs and the good they have
accomplished are due directly to him,
He is also the director of the dairy
and poultry agents in Maine.
One of the most trying periods of
his life was the time when he was a
dollar year man." serving MS
country as Food Administrator for the
State of Maine. 1t was man sized
Job and much credit Is due Dean Mer-
rill for the splendid way in which, at
such a time he organized those under
him and kept food distribution uni
fed throughout the state. At the end
of the war he was on the verge OF ner-
vous prostration and it required some
time for him to come back.
Fraternally, he is the head OF the
Odd Fellows in Maine end perman-
n,1t hvzt. y afi ~ QnVlrH1Rn
lodge from this state He is the head
of Phi KappaPhi here and member
of Alpha Zeta,