George Merrill
Nov. 24, 1912; Oregonian, Sec. 2, p 18
"Typical Pioneer Dies"

   Columbia County lost its oldest and one of its most typical pioneer citizens when George Merrill died at his residence near Deer island November 8, at the age of 86, after a residence in that county of more than 62 years.  He was born in Ohio September 11, 1826, and went, when a child, with his parents to Illinois, remaining there until 1847, when, with his father's family started across the plains to Oregon, his father dying on the way.

   The family halted at Oregon City, near which town he remained until the gold discoveries in California, when he joined in the rush of gold seekers to that state.  He returned to Oregon in 1850 and in 1851 married Miss Ann Martin and settled upon a donation claim on Deer Island, near which he resided since.

   Mrs. Merrill died in 1911.  Surviving this couple are eight children, Frank Merrill of University Park; Mrs. T. A. McBride of Oregon City; Mrs. Annie Seaman of Deer Island; Charles A. Merrill of Deer Island; Alvin Merrill of Kalama; Mrs. T. R. Jones of Seattle; Mrs. Emma Brittain of Deer Island, and Mrs. B. L. Wamsley of Lents.

   Mr. Merrill was assessor of Columbia County and served three terms as County Clerk.  All his life he was an active participant in the political and social activiites of his county and neighborhood, taking especial interest in the public school, of which he was for a long time director, and in the local Grange, of which he was chaplain.  He was a lover of Nature and for the last 30 years it was his greatest pleasure and usual habit to spend a few weeks of the Summer months in the mountains, which time he devoted to the study of plant and animal life and the geology of the region visited.

   The pleasures of hunting and fishing had no charm for him on these excursions, and bird and beast were secure from harm at his hands.  He loved the mountains, the stream, the forests, the flowers and the birds and at the age of 70 years, when most men cease to attempt new pursuits, he took up the study of geology and in spite of the handicap of a jack of acquaintance with the languages he mastered its technical nomenclature and became a practical geologist, whose opinions were valued by those who made that science their profession.  His capacity to identify and classify geological specimens was remarkable and his enthusiasm in the pursuit of his favorite science continued until his death.

   Two days before his death he served as judge of the election in his precinct, performing his duties as a citizen with his usual ability.