596327

[marlow.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6300, Date of Import: Sep 11, 1998]

Died at Willow Brook Farm, in the town of Antrim, Shiawassee county, Mich., on the evening of the 26th day of September, 1884, Mortimer Bradley Martin, in the seventy-eighth year of his age.
Mr. Martin was born in Johnstown, N.Y., on the 18th day of October, in the year 1806. While he was quite a lad, his father removed from there to Avon, where he received something more than an ordinary education. When only fourteen years old he commenced clerking in his uncle Bradley Martin's store and so well did he succeed that when his uncle died he was able to take the entire charge of the business, although he was only sixteen years of age. From that time on he was known as a prominent merchant and upon arriving at the age of twenty-one he has so successfully managed the financial affairs of the store that he was able not only to buy the stock, but to build a larger and better building, which we believe is in use to this day.
Mr. Martin's business soon enabled him to become acquainted with prominent business men of New York city in that early day, and in the year 1834, a wealthy corporation was organized for the purpose of purchasing land in the West, and in looking around for a shrewd and careful business man to act as agent, he was selected to visit Illinois and Michigan to buy lands forthe company. In 1834, he disposed of his business and came West, bringing with him a considerable amount of money. After spending two years in Illinois, he came on the 2nd of June, 1836, to this county, striking the Shiawassee River at Knaggs trading post. Being a cultivated man, he was charmed with the beauty of the wilderness, and was greatly pleased with the landscape from the hill on which the house he afterward built still stands.
On the sixth of July, 1936, he became an actual settler in the northeastern part of the town of Antrim. At that time there were only eleven other settlers in the town. At first he did not expect to become a farmer and did not live all of the time in the vicinity, but spent considerable time in Detroit and Kalamazoo. He also about that time visited Illinois and Fort Mackinaw for the purpose of settling up the affairs of the company with which he was agent. In 1837, he settled permanently upon his farm. In 1841, he married Mary Ann Beach who bore him three children, two of whom survive him, John W. and George B. Martin. His wife dying in 1850, and after remaining a widower for several years he married Miss Martha Hoyt, his present wife, by whom he had four children, two of which are still living.
The deceased was a nephew of the late ex-governor Enos Troop, and brother of the late Enos Troop Martin of New York.
He furnished his house with something more than ordinary comforts of life, and with articles that were almost unknown in those days to the settler of northern and central Michigan. Hence, the little home on the hillside became noted not only to his neighbors, but with travelers from remote regions. He was a great reader and in those days possessed a library of carefully selected books, many of which were also pioneers in the county.
In early times his business relations brought him in contact with the leading men of Detroit. He was acquainted with General Cass, the Campaus and other men of note.
While the country around him was almost a wilderness he cleared his farm and beautified the hill on which stands the house by planting rare trees and shrubs; many of his roses and flowers were the first ever planted in this county. Near by his home was the traveled way then known as Grand River Road and while at times he entertained governors, judges, and eminent men of the state, he always provided a place for the poor. When a man had once entered his house he was his guest and received not only cheer from the table but was entertained by his rare conversational powers.
The deceased held various offices of trust, representing his county in the legislature during the years of 1848 and 1850 and the twon of Antrim on the board of Supervisors sixteen years, filling these positions with marked ability. While in active business life he did much towards establishing schools and places of worship.
The good that he has done in this world will long live after him. The funeral was preached by the Rev. James Vernay, of Vernon. The day was a beautiful one, and Willow Brook Farm never looked finer than when the long line of carriages filled with people moved away from the house down the winding road out from under the willows, escorting the remains on the way to the cemetary. After arriving at the cemetary the casket was taken in charge by the Masonic order.
His death and burial will long be remembered as an important event in the history of Shiawassee county.

-The Bancroft Advertiser
Dated: October 3, 1884