William J. Martin 1863-1926

MARTIN DITZEN MCGOVERN CANTWELL WERNER MURRAY LACROIX

Posted By: Obituary Fairy (email)
Date: 8/6/2015 at 22:09:51

The Davenport (IA) Democrat & Leader; Thursday Evening, April 8, 1926; p. 21, col. 5:

W. Martin, 63, is Found Dead by Neighbors

W. Martin, Retired Farmer, Believed to Have Died Suddenly

William J. Martin, 736 West Fifteenth Street, was found dead in his room which he occupied alone, at 10:30 o’clock this morning by Henry Ditzen, 728 West Fifteenth Street, and J. W. McGovern, 719 West Fifteenth Street. They gained entrance to the house to investigate when neighbors became alarmed after failing to see any signs of Martin for three days. He was 63 years old on March 24th.

Coroner Cantwell and Officer Werner went to the house and investigated. The coroner said the man, who was a retired farmer, and had been a resident of Davenport for the past 20 years, had probably died Monday or Tuesday. He had been scrubbing the floor of the room in which he was found, lying sprawled on a couch. Newspapers dated April 6 and 7 were found in the mailbox.

Mr. Martin had been in poor health and under the care of physicians for some time and is said to have suffered a sunstroke two years ago.

He was born in Scott county, about four miles east of Eldridge, March 24, 1863.

Surviving are a number of cousins, among whom are Rose, Fannie, Theresa, and George Martin, and Miss Margaret Murray of Davenport, Mrs. Mary Lacroix of St. Louis, and another cousin living in Grand Mound.

The body was removed to the Halligan funeral home pending the completion of funeral arrangements.