that I recall the fact that nothing has occurred during the entire session to permanently mar the harmony that prevailed at the beginning. We met, most of us, as strangers; we part, all of us, as friends, and if in the future it be my privilege to meet any of you, be assured of a hearty welcome; and with renewed thanks for your bountiful kindness, and earnest wishes for the prosperity and happiness of you all. let me conclude in the words of Tiny Tim and say, "God bless us every one."
Sherburne R. Merrill, Senator from the Coos District, No. One, which is territorially the largest in the state, embracing the entire county of Coos, is sixty-nine years of age, and the oldest member of the Senatorial body, having been born in the town of Fishersfield, now Newbury, Jan. 2, 1810. His father, Samuel Merrill, a farmer of that town, died when he was about sixteen years of age, leaving a family of seven children, of whom he was the eldest. Having his own way to make in the world, and being of an enterprising turn of mind, he soon left home and went to Boston, where he was variously engaged for several years. When about twenty-five years of age he located in the town of Woodstock, Grafton county, where he engaged in the manufacture of starch, operated a grist and saw-mill and engaged in land speculation to a considerable extent. From Woodstock he removed to Colebrook, where he has resided for the past twenty-six years, or more, and has been extensively engaged in starch making there, being a pioneer in that business in Coos county. His youngest brother, Seneca S. Merrill, who was in his employ at Woodstock, is a partner with him in business at Colebrook. They have several starch mills, and are also proprietors of a large general store with an extensive patronage, and operating very heavily in grain. Mr. Merrill has also dealt largely in real estate since his residence in Colebrook. He has done much to develop the resources of Northern New Hampshire, and has his substantial reward in an ample fortune. While in Woodstock he was several years one of the board of selectmen, and represented the town in the legislature in 1850 and 1851. He was also a member of the House from Colebrook in 1870 and 1871. He has been a working member of the Senate, acting upon the Railroad Committee, and upon the Committees on Towns and Elections.
Mr. Merrill married in March, 1836, Sarah B. Merrill of Nolesboro, Me., by whom he had six children, four of whom are now living, all married daughters. Of these, one is the wife of Wm. H. Shurtleff, Esq., of Colebrook, and another the wife of Maj. Irving W. Drew of Lancaster. His first wife died in 1877, and on the first of January last he married Sarah Butler of Plymouth.
Edward F. Mann, of Benton, Senator from the Grafton District, or No. Two, is the youngest member of the body, having been born in the town of his present residence, Sept. 7, 1845. He is a son of George W. Mann, an extensive farmer, contractor and builder of Benton, who has long been known in Grafton County politics, and has represented his town in the Legislature several years. He spent his early life upon the farm, enjoying such educational advantages as the common school afforded, supplemented by a short attendance at Tilton Seminary, and at twenty years of age went into the service of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad Company, being first employed at the station at Tilton, subsequently for several years as brakeman, and afterwards as conductor, in which position he is now engaged, running the morning express train between Concord and Plymouth. In this capacity he has gained, in the highest degree, the confidence of the corporation, and of the public as a faithful and courteous official. He is an earnest Democrat, and a member of the present Democratic State Committee, has been actively engaged in political affairs in his county, and represented his town in the House in 1871 and 1872. He has been a working rather than a talking member of the Senate, and has served upon the Committees on Education, Claims, and Roads, Bridges and Canals. Mr.
