Hi Jessica
records show a Merlin Cameron b 18 Jan 1828, d Oct 1974

In 1930, there was a Merlin Cameron and Donald Cameron (2 years older) living in the household of Margery Beeman in Des Moines Iowa...it looks like she took in children.

I would start by going through the Iowa birth records to see if you can find either Merlin or Donald for 1928 and 1925-27

good luck
Kim