Melvin J. Miller
1919–1974American politician – Minnesota -House 1973-74 (District 12A)
Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
The nearest, Melvin J. Miller, was born in Mott, 11 mi away. Gale Cleven is the most widely known, written about in 5 languages. No famous person on record lists Merrill Township as their birthplace yet. In all of North Dakota, the famous people on record come from 130 towns.

Nobody born in Merrill Township is confirmed by English Wikipedia yet. These are the best known born within 35 miles.
American politician – Minnesota -House 1973-74 (District 12A)

Pick one and say why. Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Be the first to say who Merrill Township’s most famous person is.
From Wikidata and Wikipedia: people whose birthplace is Merrill Township and whose English Wikipedia article agrees, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages cover each person. Nearby people are those born in a town within 35 miles; distances are town center to town center. People known mainly for crimes, and adult performers, aren’t listed. “The usual town” = everyone born in the towns gathered so far.