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Tam, Merritt Ward, 1894-1956

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1894 - 1956

Biographical Information

Merritt Tam was born on April 23, 1894 and raised in Warren, Indiana. After graduating from Warren High School in 1913, Tam attended Purdue University as a Pharmacy student. Following his graduation in 1915, Tam moved to Denver, Colorado where he operated a pharmacy until 1917, when he accepted a position as a pharmacist in Mason, MS. He moved back to Warren, Indiana in 1919 to open the Sprowl and Tam drug store. He established the Tam Gold Seal Drug store in 1933 and later entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law, Harry Bonifield. He went into semi-retirement in 1951 and established with his sons Tams Drugs, Inc., of which he was the president. Tam married Helen Bonfield with whom he would have five children. His son Roger was also a Purdue Pharmacy graduate. He died on February 16, 1956 in Floral City, FL.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Purdue Circus photographs

 Collection — Box Communal Collections 47: Series Box 1; Series MSA 18, Series 5; Series Series 2; Series UA 110, Series 1; Series UA 111, Series 5; Series MSF 508, Series 1; Series MSF 508, Series 2; Series UA 182, Series 3; Series UA 176, Series 1; Series MSA 18, Series 6, Placement: 17
Identifier: MSP 226
Scope and Contents The Purdue Circus photographs (May 5, 1916) documents the 1916 Purdue Circus festivities. Though circus-related events ran throughout the day and into the evening, the sixteen (16) photographs included on the two scrapbook pages in this collection -- taken by Purdue Pharmacy student Merritt Tam -- only document the parade through downtown Lafayette on the morning of May 5, 1916. The photographs depict mostly clowns and student groups, both walking and riding in floats or carriages. Also...
Dates: May 5, 1916
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections