George Edmands Merrill


George Edmands Merrill was an American Baptist clergyman and educator, born at Charlestown, Mass.

Early life

Merrill was born on December 19, 1846 in Charlestown, Boston. He was a son of Nathan Merrill and Amelia G. Merrill.
He attended Harvard University, graduating in 1869, followed by Newton Theological Institution, where he graduated in 1872. Merrill received the degree of D.D. from Colby College in 1895 and that of LL.D. from the University of Rochester in 1901.

Career

After ordination, he became pastor of Baptist churches in Massachusetts at Springfield, Salem, and Newton. Two years he spent at Colorado Springs, Colorado. From 1899 until his death he was president of Colgate University. His writings include: The Story of the Manuscripts ; Crusaders and Captives ; The Reasonable Christ ; The Parchments of the Faith ; "The Songs of Solomon," in the American Commentary on the Old Testament.

Personal life

On October 1, 1872, Merrill was married to Florence A. Whittemore, a daughter of George W. and Synia H. Whittemore. Before her death on December 18, 1875, they were the parents of one daughter, Elinor Merrill.
After the death of his first wife, he married Carrie A. Beebe on April 5, 1877. With Carrie, a daughter of Jared and Mary Beebe, he had a daughter, who died during birth on March 7, 1878, a few months before Carrie's death on September 28, 1878.
On September 19, 1882, he married for the third time to Emma M. Bateman, a daughter of Evan John and Ruth Ann Bateman.
Merrill died on June 11, 1908 at Hamilton, New York.