Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-21
drug House
SUCCESSFUL
Is Pioneer In Field of
Pharmacy During
Past 100 Years

One hundred years ago William
Stanley Merrell. opened an apothe-
cary shop in Cincinnati. o., which
was destined to become Americas
Pioneer Pharmaceutical House. Be-
fore the first railroad had been
built, when travelling was a tedious
and even hazardous undertaking, ene
VIM. S. Merrell Company had iS m
ception. -
From 1928 until his death o. years
later mr.. Merrell carried on the
uork az 4 manufacturing pharmacist,
ALWAYS adhering to the policies set
forth in his first quaint advertise
ment wherein he warranted his prep
arations ito be of the best quality"
and assured the physicians Of the
city that their prescriptions would
be put up with the greatest fidel-
ity."
DR.. Merrell devoted himself to the
study of chemistry and the allied
sciences. Following his graduation
from Hamilton College, New York. he
concentrated his efforts on original
research.
DIR. Otto J~uettner, in an impor-
tant historical work, Daniel Drake
and His Followers" writes Of DR..
Merrell: "His researches led TO the
discovery of the resins and resinoid
principles in medicinal plants. While
some of the resins and alkaloids
were also independently discovered
by others the originality and priority
of his work has never been question
ed"
He introduced podophyllin, hydras-
tin, macrotin, leptandrin, iridin and
sanguinarin and gave them their
names. His contribution to the sci
ence Of medicine received formal
recognition when the American Col
lege Of Medicine at Philadelphia
conferred on him the degree-Doctor
of Medicine honoris causa.
DR.. Merrell's small but growing
enterprise weathered the storm of
wars and panics. but his persistence
and his high ideals, won Tor him and
the House of Merrell the respect and
patronage Of the medicinal profess
sion and the drug trade Of the world.
The little retail business grew and
prospered. DR.. Merrell was joined in
his enterprise BY his brother Ashbel,
and the firm became known as VIM.
S. and A. S. Merrell. Later the
bG2AAACS2 AGF1AAIGA inv -
importing and manufacturing firm
and was incorporated under the name
Of VIM. S. Merrell and Company.
In 1881, as the VIM. ). Merrell
Chemical Company, the firm built a
new and larger laboratory and the
business was confined 70 m~anufac-
turing only. Later, in 1898, under the
direction of George Merrell, son Of
VIM. s. Merrell, the present build
inc was erected which was again en-
larged in a few years.
At the beginning of the Civil War,
George Merrell was preparing for
Harvard, but as two brothers had en-
listed and another soon died IL be-
came imperative for him TO enter the
business and he was admitted a full
partner when but twenty-one.
He early displayed that initiative
which was to make him an impor-
tant factor in the pharmaceutical
field throughout the country, and
under his direction, the house de-
veloped steadily until il became ma
tional in scope. At his death, in
1915 his son, Charles G.. Merrell suc-
ceeded him as president Of the COM
pany.
Under his leadership, the house
has made continued and consistent
progress. and is today n of the
foremost pharmaceutical houses in
America. Mr.. Merrell's ideals, abil-
ity and active interest in the pharma-
eeutical business were responsible
for his election TO the office Of
president Of the American Drug
Manufacturers Association, an or
ganization composed of the leading
manufacturing. chemical and phar-
maceutical interests in the United
States.
Merrell products are supplied TO
the trade by the international Drug
Co. of Brownsville.