US Congressman from New York. He graduated from Yale in 1884, and served as US Deputy Consul General in London, England in 1885. Upon returning to the United States he resided in Potsdam and became active in several local businesses. He served as a member of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors from 1896 to 1903. Merritt took up the study of law while serving on the County Board and was admitted to the bar in 1902. He was elected to the new York Assembly in 1902 and served until 1912, including service as Minority Leader from 1908 to 1911 and Speaker in 1912. In 1912 he ran as a Republican and won the special election held to fill the US House seat left vacant by George R. Malby's death. He was elected to a full term in November, 1912. He died less than a month after winning reelection in 1914.
US Congressman from New York. He graduated from Yale in 1884, and served as US Deputy Consul General in London, England in 1885. Upon returning to the United States he resided in Potsdam and became active in several local businesses. He served as a member of the St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors from 1896 to 1903. Merritt took up the study of law while serving on the County Board and was admitted to the bar in 1902. He was elected to the new York Assembly in 1902 and served until 1912, including service as Minority Leader from 1908 to 1911 and Speaker in 1912. In 1912 he ran as a Republican and won the special election held to fill the US House seat left vacant by George R. Malby's death. He was elected to a full term in November, 1912. He died less than a month after winning reelection in 1914.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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