Michael Mart 1845-1907

MART, ERZ, WOLLNER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/7/2010 at 15:26:47

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
8 May 1907
Page 4

Michael Mart Dies Suddenly.

Michael Mart died suddenly at his home in Freedom township Monday morning. Though he had been suffering from dropsy for some time, he was able to attend church Sunday and during the night felt about as usual. When Mrs. Mart arose in the morning he seemed to be all right. At ten o'clock she went to the bedroom, as he had not been getting up until about that time. She found him lying dead on the floor. He had doubtless arisen and fell before he could dress himself. The sad surprise was, of course, a severe shock to the wife and family. Mr. and Mrs. Mart intended leaving for Germany yesterday to spend the summer. They made two trips across the Atlantic during the past few years and he found that the change benefited him. The funeral will be held this forenoon. The procession will leave the house at 9 o'clock. Services will be conducted at St. Thomas church at 10 by Father McNerney. The burial will be in St. John's cemetery.

Michael Mart was born at Wintrich, Germany, December 10, 1845. January 26, 1876, he was married to Maria Anna Erz. They came to the United States in March, 1881. They spent six months in Dubuque county, coming to Palo Alto the following October. They located on a farm northeast of this city, which is their present home.

Four sons and four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mart. They are Katherine, John, Mrs. Edward Wollner, Margaret, Mary, Nicholas and Peter J. One boy died when young. Mrs. Wollner lives at Random Lake, Wisconsin. Miss Katherine has made her home at Cascade, Iowa, for some time. The other sons and daughters are at home.

Mr. Mart was one of the hearty, robust pioneers of our county. He settled in this locality when land was cheap. He had little money, but he had a strong arm and was industrious and persistent. He lived within his means and prospered. He was blunt and honest. His frankness made him friends and gained for him the confidence of those who were in a position to trust him when he needed credit. He made a comfortable home for himself and family and of late years he had justly been recognized among the most prosperous farmers in the county. He was a man of strong convictions on spiritual affairs and as such he was steadfast in his devotion to his duties. He was a loyal, worthy citizen. He watched closely and with much concern the trend of public affairs. He treasured fondly the customs of his countrymen at home and frequently talked interestingly of the things that impressed him in his far away Fatherland. The writer knew Mr. Mart intimately for over twenty years and learns with genuine regret of his sudden death. The good wife and large family of respected sons and daughters have the sympathy of the entire community in their sorrow.