Merrill, Fred R. (1888 - 1976) and Caroline E (1900 - 1991)

Merrill, Fred R. (1888 - 1976) and Caroline E (1900 - 1991) Before the First World War, Fred was with the Merrill Brothers and "Morris Cronnin and his Merry Men", a comedy European Juggler Act in vaudeville and he and his wife moved to Colon where he worked for Abbott Magic Company for 32 years and Caroline for 23 years. Fred and Neil Sweet trained a young Colon boy (Hugh Frisbie) to juggle (His life profession). Sec 6; Row 27; # 4

FRED MERRILL PHOTO GALLERY
Fred and Caroline Merrill were also both employee's of Abbott's

Fred was associated with show business all his life. In early years the Merrill Brothers Company toured during the vaudeville era, playing the mighty Hippodrome during its height of fame. He was an expert juggler. He was also an advance booker in New York. For many years he served as advance publicity man for the Blackstone Show.

He was married to Caroline Hensel on January 3, 1925 in Covington, Kentucky. The Merrills moved to Colon in 1935. Fred was employed at the Abbott Magic Company for 32 years and his wife for 23 years. They retired in 1967. Many who have attended the Magic Get-Togethers remember Fred and Caroline and their daughter, Merrillyn. Miss Merrill lives in Ann Arbor and is the industrial nurse for the Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Company.

Fred Merrill served in the United States Army during World War I. He was a charter and life member of the Snyder-Lewis-Welty American Legion Post No. 454 in Colon. He was also a member of the International Alliance Bill Posters Billers and Distributors Local No. 94. He was a past president of the International Jugglers Association.

Would you like to learn how to juggle? Fred Merrill wrote a manuscript for Abbott's Magic on Juggling called "The Jugglers Art" which teaches the basics of Juggling and its free to you from Abbott's Magic in memory of Fred Merrill.