"Reminiscences of Saratoga"
compiled by Cornelius E. Durkee

On February 2nd, the Rev. Sylvester Sanford Strong died. The Rev. Dr. Strong was the senior partner of Drs. S. S. and S. E. Strong, who were proprietors of the sanatarium on Circular street, known as Strong's Remedial Institute. Mr. Strong was born at Ashland, Greene county, September 14, 1813. His parents were prominent members of the Presbyterian church. At the age of 15, he be came an active Christian, but so pronounced were his convictions, concerning doctrines and church policy that he left the church of his parents, and joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and a few years later, he felt called to the work of the ministry, and was ordained by Bishop Hedding in 1835. He studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Samuel Strong and graduated from the medical department of the University of the City of New York. He commenced practice first in New York and afterward in Saratoga Springs. In 1885, he founded the Remedial Institute, now known as Lucy Scribner Hall, Skidmore College. In 1835 he married Emma Louise Ireland.

On February 8th occurred the death of Jacob M. Myers. Mr. Myers was employed for many years by the Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad, now the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, as locomotive engineer. When the Adirondack Railroad commenced operations he entered the service of that corporation, where he remained until his death.

Edmund J. Huling, who was for many years editor of the Saratoga Sentinel, died on February 9. On March 30th of that year, the Saratoga Athenaeum received a generous gift of many valuable books from Mr. Ruling's library which was one of the finest in the city, he being a great lover of books.

The death of Henry W. Merrill occurred on February 11. Mr. Merrill was born in Jefferson county, September 10, 1810. His father, Nathan Merrill was a native of East Hartford, Conn., and married in Vermont, whence he moved to Jefferson county in 1809. Henry was the eldest of the family. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Bergen, Genesee county and Henry assisted them in farm work as soon as he was old enough. Young Merrill taught in the district schools, and seeking education further, prepared for college in academies at Middlebury and Geneva. In 1835 he entered Union College, graduating in 1839. The next year he was admitted to the practice of law in Washington county, and in 1841 removed to Schuylerville. In 1842, he was admitted as an attorney at law in Supreme Court; and in 1846, he married Valeria S. George. They had nine children among them a daughter who married W. H. Huestis (now living in Florida); and Ben Merrill now living in Saratoga Springs, a noted, and a brilliant pianist. Henry Merrill moved to Saratoga Springs in 1851 and practiced law until 1873. Mrs. Merrill died February 18, 1895.

J. H. Wright, a well-known citizen of Saratoga Springs, died on March 8. He had come to Saratoga Springs in 1855 from New York city and was employed by Hathorn and Brown, a firm composed of Chauncey Hathorn, and A. F. Brown, which conducted a tailoring establishment on the corner of Broadway and Division street. In 1858, he bought out the concern and continued the business until he left the village in 1878. In 1870 he was elected president of the village; and in November, 1875, was elected treasurer of Saratoga county. At the expiration of his term of office, three years, he was re-elected for an other term, but not being able to serve, Stephen C. Medbery was in 1877, appointed in his place. He