John P. Martyr, 1868-1945

MARTYR

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/21/2009 at 14:41:09

JOHN MARTYR, 77, DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

John P. Martyr, 77-year-old Estherville resident, died at 7:30 p. m. Thursday [10 May 1945] at his home. Mr. Martyr had been in failing health for some time.

Born May 1, 1868, in Kharoop, Armenia, Mr. Martyr came to the United States when he was 18 years old and settled first in the state of New York before coming to Iowa. He was married in Davenport in 1901 to Jeanette Lingenfelter.

For almost 30 years, Mr. Martyr and his son, Orlando, operated a restaurant in Estherville and Mr. Martyr retired from that occupation seven years ago.

Mr. Martyr was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Estherville lodge.

He was interested in horticulture and made it his hobby. A large fruit orchard consisting of 600 trees planted in the north part of Estherville was Mr. Martyr's pride. He experimented with grafting and also had a large vineyard.

He is survived by his widow; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Wilson of Puyallup, Wash., and Mrs. Viggo Jacobson of Lake Benton, Minn., and two sons, Paul Martyr of Chicago and O. J. Martyr of Estherville. He is also survived by two brothers, E. P. Martyr of Chicago; and B. P. Martyr of Benton Harbor, Mich.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2:15 p. m. at the Martyr home on North Eighth street and at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian church with the Rev. J. M. Kennedy officiating. Masons will attend the funeral services in a group. Burial will be in the East Side cemetery.

Contributed by: Ruth M. Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, May 11, 1945.