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Merriam, William Rush

governor, was born July 26, 1849, at Wadham's Mills, N. Y. When eleven years of age he moved with his parents to Minnesota, and has since resided in St. Paul, except when at college in Racine, Wis.

For awhile he was clerk in the First National bank; was appointed cashier of the Merchant's National bank in 1873; was elected its vicepresident in 1881; and since 1882 has been president of that institution. In 1882 he was elected to the Minnesota state legislature; was again elected in 1886, and was chosen speaker.

In 1888 he was elected governor of Minnesota, and received the re-election two years later. He is a liberal contributor to charitable enterprises; has been prominently interested in agricultural matters; has served as vice-president and president of the State Agricultural association. MERRICK, CAROLINA ELIZABETH, reformer, was born Nov. 24, 1825, in Cottage Hall, La. She was educated by private tutors, and received instruction from the professors in the college at Jackson, La. She has been president of the Foreign Missionary society of the church; methodist and other societies.

She formed the first suffrage society in the state of Louisiana, and was elected its president. For ten years she has been the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance union of Louisiana; and for the same length of time her husband was chief justice of Louisiana.