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Henry F Martin

Birth	:	27 Nov 1873 Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	27 Feb 1907 Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Moreland Memorial Park, Parkville, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.3818300, -76.5625800
Plot	:	E-11, Block 5, Old Section
Description	:	The Bellevue Leader, Bellevue, Iowa, Thursday, March 7, 1907 TRIBUTE TO TRAINMAN FUNERAL OF CONDUCTOR HENRY F. MARTIN VICTIM OF NARROW GUAGE WRECK IS HELD FRIDAY The funeral of the late Conductor Henry F. Martin, whose tragic death cast a gloom over the entire community was held last Friday afternoon. The citizens of Bellevue turned out enmass and there was a large attendance from towns along the narrow gauge, Dubuque and elsewhere, all gathered with the one object of paying tribute to the memory of a young man who nobly sacrificed his life in the performance of duty. As a further mark of respect... Read More	The Bellevue Leader, Bellevue, Iowa, Thursday, March 7, 1907 TRIBUTE TO TRAINMAN FUNERAL OF CONDUCTOR HENRY F. MARTIN VICTIM OF NARROW GUAGE WRECK IS HELD FRIDAY The funeral of the late Conductor Henry F. Martin, whose tragic death cast a gloom over the entire community was held last Friday afternoon. The citizens of Bellevue turned out enmass and there was a large attendance from towns along the narrow gauge, Dubuque and elsewhere, all gathered with the one object of paying tribute to the memory of a young man who nobly sacrificed his life in the performance of duty. As a further mark of respect the business houses of the city were closed from 2:00 to 4:00 o'clock. Lodge No 51 A. F. and A. M. of which deceased was a member conducted beautiful and impressive services at the house, assisted by a quartet. The cortege then moved to the Presbyterian church where it was impossible for many to gain entrance the edifice being filled to its capacity. Revs. Memmott and Alfred Martin, the latter pastor of the Third Presbyterian church of Dubuque officiated. Mr. Martin preached the sermon from the text found in Job, "The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the name of the Lord." In the course of his remarks he eulogized the departed upon his good qualities as exemplified in his strict performances of duty regardless of imminient danger and praised him for his love and devotion to family and home. He also spoke words of comfort to the bereaved. At the conclusion of the service hundreds passed the beir to view the remains of the heroic dead after which interment took place in the Presbyterian cemetery, the Masonic burial ritual being given at the grave. The pall bearers were brother masons Ed Butler, Sam Campbell, George Weyhgandt of Bellevue, Ed Gongaware, J. M. Reichart and O. J. Winters of Cascade. Many very beautiful floral emblems were sent on behalf of the several orders to which the departed claimed membership. The masons sent a reproduction of a broken column emblematic of the untimely death of a young man, the Order of Railway Conductors a beautiful pillow and Brotherhood of Railway Trainman a handsome scroll of cut flowers. +++ Herald-Leader, Bellevue, Iowa, Thursday, August 25, 1977, pg. 4 (photo) The wreck pictured above was responsible for the death of Henry Martin of Bellevue. The brave train conductor was seriously injured during the accident and died a few days later. The 34-year-old man left a wife and a tale of courage behind him. MAN GAVE LIFE IN LINE OF DUTY Bellevue can count a Casey Jones-type hero among its earlier residents. Henry F. Martin sacrificed his life Feb. 22, 1907, by taking hold of the brakes as the train he was conducting went over a tressel. He could have jumped during the accident on the narrow gauge branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway near Bellevue, but instead stayed at his post in an attempt to save others. He died in his own home a few days after the accident. Martin was born in Bellevue Nov. 27, 1873. His mother had come to Bellevue from Holland and his father from Germany. He began railway work at 16 years of age starting out as a transfer man at the Bellevue depot. Later he advanced to brakeman and finally, in 1909, was promoted to conductor. August 13, 1896, Martin married Frances Ernst. Frances' father had come to Bellevue at the age of 10 years from Prussia, Germany. Louis Ernst worked on the farm of Elbridge Potter and in 1863 married married Francisca Menger who had been born in Westphalia, Germany. Following Henry's death, the also-widowed-Francisca moved in with her daughter Frances. The Martins had only one child who died in infancy. At the time of the heroic Henry Martin's funeral, most Bellevue businesses closed their doors in honor of his bravery. +++ History of Jackson County, pgs. 104, 105 (Ellis, Vol. 2, 1910) HENRY F. MARTIN The heroism of men who with deadly weapons slaughter their brothers in the name of justifiable war has been told in song and story in all ages, but only too seldom is there suitable tribute paid to that nobler bravery of a man who unselfishly sacrifices himself in the hope that others may escape the death that threatens them. In being able to write the history of Henry F. Martin, whose home was in Bellevue, we are afforded a welcome opportunity to commemorate an act of the truest bravery, for in the wreck on the narrow gauge branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, which occurred near Bellevue February 22, 1907, he remained at his post of duty and did everything in his power to prevent disaster. Mr. Martin was born in Bellevue, November 27, 1873, one of eight childfen born to Theodore and Susan (Vandnaker) Martin. The former was a native of Germany, the latter of Holland, and both came to this country after they had reached mature age. They were married in Jackson county and in Bellevue spent the last years of their lives. Reared in the city of his birth, Henry F. Martin availed himself of the educational opportunities afforded by its public schools, and, passing through consecutive grades, was graduated from the high school. Thereupon, at the age of sixteen, he began his railway work. At first he was a transfer man at the Bellevue depot of the Milwaukee road, but by steady application to the tasks set him he won promotion and held the position of brakeman for a number of years. About 1900 he was made a conductor on the narrow gauge and it was in fulfilling the duties of that position, in trying to save his train while it was leaving the tressel in a bad accident, that he lost his life. He might have saved himself, but he preferred to try to save others and with that intention took hold of the brakes as the cars were going over. Words which are meant to extol seem to belittle such an act, one which is its own praise and commendation. Mr. Martin lived five days after the accident and passed away at his home, February 27, 1907. On the 13th of August, 1906, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ernst, who was born in Bellevue and is a daughter of Louis and Francisca (Manger) Ernst. Her father was born February 14, 1847, in Westphalia, Prussia, Germany, one of seven sons born to Conrad and Elizabeth Ernst. He was ten years of age when they came to Jackson county, Iowa, and after his arrival here he found work on the farm of the late Captain Potter, in whose employ he remained a long period. In 1863 he married and for one year farmed for himself, after which he came to Bellevue, where in 1864 he enlisted in Company R, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served until the end of the war, when he received an honorable discharge at Washington. Subsequently he engaged in farming, but the last twenty years of his life were spent in Bellevue, as he was incapacitated for work owning to the hardships of army days. He was the recipient of a pension. During and after the war he and Theodore Fisher were boon companions, and both died within a few weeks of each other, Mr. Ernst passing away in Bellevue, July 28, 1894. In September, 1863, Mr. Ernst wedded Miss Francisca Menger, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, December 26, 1840. In 1861 she accompanied her parents, Wilhelm and Sophia Menger, upon their removal to America and came direct to Jackson county, Iowa, where she has since resided. Now she makes her home with Mrs. Martin. Five sons and two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernst: William and Jospeh, both residents of Bellevue; Mrs. Elizabeth McKinney, who has passed away; John, who is living in Bellevue; Frances, who is now the widow of Henry F. Martin; Ben, who is a resident of Dubuque, Iowa; and Louis, who is living in Bellevue. Mr. and Mrs. Martin had one child, who died in infancy. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to the Order of Railway Conductors, in both of which societies he had staunch and loyal friends who paid loving tribute to his memory. Perhaps, however, there was no greater token of the esteem in which he was held in this, the city of his birth, than the fact that on the day of the funeral most of the business houses were closed. His was a record many might emulate; in business his integrity was unquestioned; in his relations with his friends he was always loyal, tactful and genial; and at home he was kind, loving and considerate. His death is a distinct loss to the community but his memory will live long and be an inspiration to young and old.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Henry F Martin's memorial?
Henry F Martin's memorial is located at: Moreland Memorial Park, Parkville, Baltimore County, USA.
When did Henry F Martin death?
Henry F Martin death on 27 Feb 1907 in Bellevue, Jackson County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Henry F Martin's memorial?
Latitude: 39.3818300
Longitude: -76.5625800

Family Members:

Spouse

Frances Maria Ernst Bittner

(1874 - 1945)

Children

Ellsworth Martin

(1900 - 1900)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Moreland Memorial Park
Parkville, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3818300, -76.5625800

2. Oakleigh Pet Cemetery
Parkville, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3908005, -76.5591965

3. Pleasant Plains Cemetery
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3920810, -76.5733120

4. Hiss United Methodist Church Cemetery
Parkville, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3830400, -76.5349900

5. Saint John's Lutheran Church Cemetery
Parkville, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3842900, -76.5341100

6. Taylors Chapel Cemetery
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3627700, -76.5772900

7. Christopher Family Cemetery
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3573901, -76.5525783

8. Parkwood Cemetery and Mausoleum
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3685989, -76.5327988

9. Espicopal Church of the Messiah
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3549400, -76.5585200

10. German Family Estate Burying Ground
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3594000, -76.5414480

11. Saint Dominic Church Cemetery
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3511700, -76.5626400

12. Maryland Presbyterian Memorial Garden
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4131207, -76.5753212

13. Ascension Lutheran Church Columbarium
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3868044, -76.6057542

14. Shealey Cemetery
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4010400, -76.6011800

15. Hampton House Cemetery
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4141000, -76.5859700

16. Prospect Hill Park Cemetery
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4032600, -76.6037200

17. Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery
Hampton, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4215200, -76.5669600

18. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3424988, -76.5744019

19. Saint Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery
Nottingham, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3728600, -76.5113100

20. Mount Maria Cemetery
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4048100, -76.6060100

21. Morford - Fowler Family Cemetery
Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3840200, -76.5091500

22. Towson Presbyterian Church Columbarium
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4004400, -76.6107500

23. Biddison Family Cemetery
Baltimore, Baltimore City, USA
Coordinate: 39.3401222, -76.5551605

24. Towson United Methodist Church Columbarium
Towson, Baltimore County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4141280, -76.5983480