Herbert M. Merrill | |
|---|---|
 Merrillc. 1912 | |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from theSchenectady district | |
| In office January 1, 1912 – December 31, 1912 | |
| Preceded by | John C. Myers |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Porter Squire |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1871-09-13)September 13, 1871 Campton, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1956(1956-03-05) (aged 84) Schenectady, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Socialist(before 1936) American Labor(1936–1944) Liberal(after 1944) |
| Other political affiliations | Social Democratic Federation(after 1936) |
| Occupation | Electrical worker, politician |
| Known for | FirstSocialist elected to theNew York State Assembly |
Herbert M. Merrill (September 13, 1871 – March 5, 1956 inSchenectady, New York) was an American electrical worker and politician fromNew York. He was the firstSocialist member of theNew York State Assembly.
He attended the common schools inBoston, Massachusetts, and graduated fromPlymouth High School (New Hampshire) in 1888. Then he went to work as anarmature winder at theGeneral Electric plant in Schenectady. He was a founder of Local No. 247 of the Electrical Workers Union. Through all his life, he was an avid reader, and was considered byDixon Ryan Fox, President ofUnion College, the most widely read person of his time.
In November 1911, the Socialist Party of America won the elections in Schenectady County by pluralities, and Merrill was elected to the Assembly, sitting in the135th New York State Legislature in 1912. Before and after this tenure, he was a candidate for office on the Socialist,American Labor andLiberal tickets, at many elections for more than thirty years. He was Secretary of the Socialist Party in the State of New York for about 15 years.
He died on March 5, 1956, in Ellis Hospital inSchenectady, New York; and was buried at the Blair Cemetery inCampton, New Hampshire.
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Assembly Schenectady County 1912 | Succeeded by |