Woman's Relief Corps, the only recognized auxiliary to the G. A. R. She is a Past National Chaplain of the National Woman's Relief Corps and its only honorary member. She is often an honored guest at the annual gatherings of these national organizations, and has a warm place in the hearts of their members.
For several years Miss Barton resided in the mansion in Washington formerly occupied by General Grant as his headquarters. During the past few years she has made her home at Glen Echo, Md.
SALOME MERRITT, M.D., daughter of the late Increase Sumner and Susan (Penniman) Merritt, was born February 22, 1843, in Temple ton, Mass. She was the youngest of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. Her father was of the Scituate family founded by Henry* Merritt, whose name appears in the Plymouth Colony records as grantor of a deed in 1628. Her mother was a descendant of James Penniman, of Brain tree, Mass., and his wife Lydia, who was a sister of John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians.
The Merritt household was a cheerful, happy one, unclouded by stem discipline, the youthful gayety of the children heartily encouraged by their parents. Salome was a wide-awake, lively girl, very fond of pets, making play-fellows of the domestic animals. At school she was bright and quick to master difficult tasks. Having completed the courses provided in the district school and high school, she taught for a few terms. After that she continued her education at the seminary in East Greenwich, R.I., graduating in 1864, the valedictorian of her class.
For the next seven years she was a successful teacher; but longing for a broader field of activity, a vocation which should be of greater benefit to others, she decided to adopt the profession of medicine, an undertaking attended in those days with many difficulties, not the least of which was public disfavor. Consequently her sister, who throughout life was her devoted companion, sharing all her hardships and successes, tried to dissuade her, but without avail. Her resolution taken, she entered the Boston Female Medical College. This college soon passing into control of Boston University and changing from the old to the homcoopathic school, she entered the New York Free Medical College for Women, from which she was graduated in 1874, having completed in one year the work usually assigned for a three years' course. Upon the resignation of the noted Dr. J. V. C. Smith, professor of anatomy, Dr. Merritt was upon his recommendation appointed to fill the vacancy. For two years she remained in this responsible position, proving fully the wisdom of the choice; but, longing for the busy, useful life of an active practice, she came to Boston, and established herself at 59 Hancock Street, where she remained until 1896.
Meantime numerous other claims demanded a part of her time. She was a born suffragist, and worked perseveringly to advance the cause in all directions, national. State, and municipal. She originated and secured several amendments to the statutes of assessment and registration by which school suffrage was made easier. She was a charter member of the National Woman Suffrage Association, was its president in 1893, and from the start always gave her earnest support and unfailing interest to all its measures.
As a voter in Ward Ten, Boston, she was active in all matters concerning the welfare of the public schools, and did much to arouse the interest of other women. As a member of the original Ward and City Committee of Women Voters, her influence and exertions were directed toward securing the election of the best women and men to the school board, thus making it a greater power for good. This was a matter of vital importance to her, and she devoted to it much of her time and strength. When, in 1888, the anti-Catholic question in the management of the public schools arose, Dr. Merritt took a firm stand against the measure as unconstitutional and un-American. A year later, when the Citizens' Public School Union was formed, she was made its president. This organization was a potent factor in preventing the board from being made an entirely Protestant body.
