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Captain S.H. Merrill Answers Final Summons

Death has stilled the life of Captain S.H. Merrill, taking an honored citizen from our midst yesterday morning after he had suffered several weeks from a paralytic stroke received while on a business trip to Idaho.

Mrs. Merrill had gone to Idaho and returned with her husband last week and it was hoped that he might speedily improve. His death was rather unexpected.

The Masons are to conduct their funeral on Friday. Monday evening the body will be shipped to Oakland. Mrs. Merrill will follow Tuesday morning and accompany the remains on the Overland limited to Arlington national cemetery, Washington D.C. where interment will take place.

Simeon Howard Merrill was born in Milton, Oxford Co., Maine, March 6, 1842. His parents moved to Bridgeton Maine, when he was 7 years of age and there his boyhood and school days were passed. At 16 he went to Portland where he remained until the breaking out of the Civil War, at which time he was a member of the Portland Light Guard, an independent military company of that city.

He entered the army of the Union in April 1861, enlisting in the First Maine regiment volunteers for three months, and came to the defense of the capital with his regiment.

At the expiration of his three months enlistment he returned to his native state and immediately entered the Eleventh Maine Volunteer Infantry for three years, being commissioned second lieutenant. In January 1862 he served in the Peninsula campaign being at the siege of Yorktown, in engagements at Williamsburg, Seven Pines and seven days battles; during the latter, under orders, in command of a detachment burned the s railroad bridge upon the advance of "Stonewall" Jackson from the rear. In 1863 served at the siege of Fort Sumter and Charleston, South Carolina. In 1864, served at siege of Petersburg and on north bank of James river. As senior captain commanded his regiment during last three months of service.

In 1865 he was appointed to a clerkship in the Washington city post office. In 1866 was promoted to superintendent of money order division of that office, in which capacity he served until May, 1888.

In 1889 he entered the real estate firm of Myron M. Parker where he remained until May 1890, when he performed a partnership with Andrew J Terry, under the firm name of Merrill & Terry, for the transaction of real estate business.

In October, 1890 he was appointed assistant postmaster of Washington, in which position her served until November 1894, when he came to Santa Cruz.

Captain Merrill was a member of the Loyal Legion of Washington, D.C. composed of officers of the army and a member of the following Masonic orders; Dalton lodge No 16 of Washington D.C.; Washington chapter; Santa Cruz Commandery No 44, Knights Templar, and Santa Cruz Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. He was at one time cashier of the Alaska Bank and Safe Deposit company of None Alaska.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (July 8, 1916)

The Funeral of Captain Merrill

Yesterday afternoon the funeral of Captain Simeon H. Merrill was held at the funeral Parlors of Wessendorf and Staffler which were crowded with friends and lavish were the flora offerings.

The Masons, Eastern Star, Knights Templar and G.A.R. attended and the Masonic services service was conducted by several members of the local lodge of masons, with remarks by Rev. L.B. Briggs. Hymns were sung by Mrs. L. Trubly, Miss Mary Dyer, P.C. Tucker, and E.J. Harran.

Date of Birth: 1842-03-09

Date of Death: 1916-06-07

County: US/DC

Cemetery/City of Burial: Washington, DC

Plot: Arlington

Cause of Death: Brn/Hmrrhge

Spouse: Wagner_ Bonnie

Occupation: Admin/PstMstr

Religion: Co

Height: 5'10

Local Address: East Cliff 500

Last City: Santa Cruz 16

Native of: ME

Enlisted: 1861/11/07

Discharged: 1864/11/18

Military Unit: ME_ 11 Inf_ Co I

Rank: Cap

Military Notes: R-Bridgton

GAR#: WR32

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1916/07/07