- S. T. MERRILL was born in Franklin Co., Mass., Sept. 24,
1816; from Massachusetts, he
- removed with his parents to Cheshire Co., N.H.; in that neighborhood,
he received his education. From New Hampshire at the age of
21 years, he went to Georgia, where, at Sparta and Ft. Gains,
he spent eight years in teaching. About four years of that time
he was Principal of the Cuthbert Academy, in Randolph Co., Ga.
He then came to Beloit, about the middle of May, 1846, and took
charge of the Beloit Seminary. He continued in charge of that
institution until the male department was merged into what is
now Beloit College. Mr. MERRILL taught the first class in that
college. He continued to teach until relieved by the professor
appointed for the class. He then started the manufacture of
paper in partnership with T. L. WRIGHT, under the firm name of
WRIGHT & MERRILL. This firm, in 1851, built the first paper-mill
that was erected on Rock River. He also, in 1852, opened a book
store in connection with WRIGHT & NEWCOMBE, under the firm
name of WRIGHT, MERRILL & NEWCOMBE. He sold out to his partners
in 1856. He then engaged with Chas. WALKER in building another
mill on the east side of Rock River. This mill is known as one
of the Rock River Co.'s mills. In 1872, Mr. MERRILL purchased
an interest in the O. E. MERRILL & Co.'s iron works, and
was made the Treasurer of the company. For the past three years
he has been President of the company. He is also President of
the Eclipse Wind-Mill Co. About the year 1854, he was Superintendent
of Schools at Beloit. He was also a member of the Common Council
of that city, and is now a member of the County Board of Supervisors.
In 1876, and the year following, he served in the Legislature
from Beloit. He is one of the Executive Committees of Beloit
College, and Treasurer of that institution. In 1873, he was
sent by Gov. Washburn to Vienna as State Commissioner to the
Exposition at that place. In 1876, President Hayes appointed
him Commissioner at-large to the Paris Exposition. Mr. MERRILL
married, Sept. 1, 1853, Jane BLODGETT, of Cooperstown, N.Y.
He has five children living - Mary Isabella, George Spencer,
Louis Blodgett, Helen Colt and Robert Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. MERRILL
are members of the First Congregational Church at Beloit.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 758.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|