Jacob R. Martz

MARTZ, BOYER, LIGHTER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 08:18:43

JACOB R. MARTZ, who is engaged in general farming on section 34, Palermo Township, Grundy County, is a native of the Keystone State. He was born near Wellersburg, Somerset County, on the 8th of June, 1842, and is a son of Richard Martz, who was also born in that county, where he has spent his entire life and still makes his home. He married Miss Rebecca Boyer, who is also yet living, and they became the parents of a family of twelve children, nine of whom yet survive. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martz are members of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected people. The family is of Dutch origin, and was founded in American during early Colonial days.

Under the parental roof, in the county of his nativity, the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, and after acquiring his education, he embarked in school teaching, which profession he followed altogether for thirty years in Pennsylvania and in Iowa. He was very successful as an instructor, as he could readily impart to others the knowledge which he had acquired. He always won the respect of his scholars, and no term passed but what he saw his pupils much further advanced in the path of learning.

An important event in the life of Mr. Martz occurred in 1869, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary J. Lighter, daughter of Solomon Lighter, of Frederick County, Md. The following year they moved from Grundy County to Butler County, Iowa, where for a year he taught school. He then returned to Grundy County, where he followed teaching for several years. Previous to this time Mr. Martz had entered the service of his country, enlisting in 1865 among the boys in blue of Company D, Second Maryland Infantry. In 1870, he located upon the farm which is now his home, and which has been his place of residence for almost twenty-four years. At that time there were no improvements upon it, and the land was in its primitive condition, but the labors of the owner have transformed it into rich and fertile fields. The farm is one hundred and sixty acres in extent, and in connection with its cultivation Mr. Martz is engaged in raising seeds of different kinds, which he supplies to wholesale dealers. He also makes a specialty of bee culture, and his apiary comprises one hundred hives. He has met with good success in this branch of his business, and it adds materially to his income.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martz have been born six children, and all are still under the parental roof, namely: E. W., Stella V., Elsie V., Clyde S., Solomon R. and Elizabeth R. The parents are well known people of this community, and their home is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. In politics, he is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and for three years has filled the office of Justice of the Peace in a creditable manner. Socially, he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic. He first came to this county on a prospecting tour in 1863, but after a year returned to the east, where he continued until he returned to the frontier home. He is numbered among the honored early settlers of the township, and is one of the highly respected citizens.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894

Grundy Biographies maintained by Tammy D. Mount.
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