Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-08-12
j. L. Merrick Found
Unconscious in Office
Dies in Few Minutes

James L. Merrick, for many years
prominent citizen of Waterville.
died suddenly in his office at so Main
street yesterday afternoon at the age
of so years. The cause of death
was heart disease.
Mr.. Merrick was discovered lying
on a couch abuot o'clock by Hol-
lis Simpson, who had come to see
him on business concerning the
Grand Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic which is to be
held in the near future in Grand
Rapids, Mich. Mr.. Merrick had for
many years been in charge of the
transportation Of the Maine delega-
tons to the Grand Encampments.
MT. Simpson upon investigation
found that Mr.. Merrick's hands were
cold and he seemed to be dead. He
wen to nearby office and DIR. l.. G..
Bunker, who has offices in the same
building. went to Mr.. Merrick's of
nee, where he found the man still
alive. The end came very few
minutes later. The heart attack
came suddenly as Mr.. Merrick was
seen walking about the building less
than an hour previous to his death.
For many years Mr.. Merrick was
connected with the nursery business
and he was also at the head of the
Merrick tours Of this city. He was
prominent in the w. S. Heath Post,
Grand Army of the Republic, and had
directed the travel of the Maine
| members of the Grand Army to and
from the Grand Encampments for
the past 33 years.
James L. .Merrick was born in
Troy, March "a, 1S45. He was edu-
Gated In the common schools Of that
town and at Fryeburg academy Al
the age of II years he left high
school and enlisted in Company c.
18th Maine Infantry, While fighting
he was totally disabled and was dis
| charged from the army in Novem-
Der. 1864. The other members of his
regiment were discharged the fol-
lowing May.
After leaving the Union forces he
returned to Troy, where he settled
down as a farmer. On the 18th of
March, 1869, he was united in mar
riage to Susan Helen Ward, the Or
vice being performed in Pittsfeld by
the Rev. Theodore Gerrish, pastor Of
the Baptist church there.
From this marriage there are now
five children living: Maude NJ, who
was stenographer and bookkeeper
in her fathers office; Nellie M,
| who is living at home; Hubert j..
who conducts drygoods and MILL
merry business in Augusta; Frank L..
who runs a farm in Waterville and
Mrs. Bessie Perley of Portland.
While living in Troy Mr.. Merrick
I left farming and turned to the
nursery business. He started in the
| business by himself in 1873 and he
has been engaged in 1t ever since.
| In 1888 he came to Waterville and
opened an office in the Masonic
building. from which he later moved
to 80 Main street.
Mr.. Merrick was a member Of the
Grand Army of the Republic and
has in its interest conducted the
well-known Merrick tours for more
| tours in 1891 when he went to De-
troit, Mich. In 1892 he went to
Washington, D. c.; Indianapolis in
1893; Pittsburgh in 1894; Louis
vile, KY, in 1895; st. Paul In 1896;
Buffalo in 1897; Cincinnati in 1898;
Philadelphia in 1899; Chicago in
| 1900; Cleveland in 1901; Washing
ton. d. c., in 1902; San Francisco
| in 1903; Boston in 1904; Denver In
| 1905; Minneapolis in 1906; Sarato-
ga, N. Y, in 1907: Toledo in 1908;
Salt Lake City in 1909; Atlantic
City in 1910; Rochester. N. Y. in
1911; Chattanooga, Tenn, in 1913;
Detroit in 1914; Washington, d. c.,
| in 1915; Boston in 1917: Portland
Ore, in 1918; Columbus, Ohio in
1919; Indianapolis in 1920-21; Des
Moines, Iowa in 1922; Milwaukee in
1923 and Boston in 1924.
On March 16, 1924. Mr.. and Mrs
Merrick celebrated their 55th we'd
ding anniversary. Mrs. Merrick
survives her husband.
Mr.. Merrick was member OF the
Masons, Odd Fellows and the Grand
Army Of the Republic. For three
years he served on the Waterville
city council.
Funeral services will be held
from the home at 2S2 Main street
at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, DIR.
E. C. Whittemore officiating. Bu-
rial will be in Pine Grove cemetery.