Albert Earle MARTIN

MARTIN, LAMB, MCNEAL, ROSECRANS, FINCH, KETCHUM

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/23/2010 at 13:36:38

Belmond Independent and Herald Press - Belmond, Iowa
23 April 1931

Last Thursday morning the entire community was shocked and saddened when it was learned that Earle Martin had passed away about seven o'clock that morning. He had been taken sick with the flu the Friday before and later pneumonia had developed, but Mr. Martin's condition was not considered serious till about nine o'clock Wednesday evening.

Albert Earle Martin, son of S. D. Martin and Harriet Lamb Martin, was born at Wayne, Illinois, October 13, 1869, and died at his home near Belmond April 16, 1931, at the age of 61 years, six months and three days. The Martin family moved to Belmond in October 1872, and Earle attended the country school. Finishing there, he attended high school in town and graduated while J. G. Grundy was superintendent. After completing a business course taken at Cedar Rapids, he was employed by his uncle, Malcolm McNeal, in Chicago, and remained in his employ for eleven years. During this time Earle became acquainted with Marion J. Finch and married her. The wedding took place at the Wm. Rosecrans home in Belmond on June 25, 1902. To this union were born two sons, one dying in infancy. The other, Albert Earle, Jr., has charge of the county 4-H club work in Fayette County. After Earle gave up his work in Chicago, the family moved back to Iowa and lived at Olaf for three years. Mr. and Mrs. Martin's beautiful home near Belmond has been one of hospitality—a home where kindliness and friendly interest was to be found by all who entered its doors. Nor did this kindly interest end here. Every move that would be made for the good of the community has been of vital importance to this family. Earle's frank and genial disposition made for him friends of all whom he met. He was one of the most active members of the Farm Bureau and time spent in this service was no sacrifice but a great delight. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Farm Bureau in Belmond township and his place will be hard to take.

The whole community feels that it has lost one who was a true ... and inspiration to it and the memory of such will always be cherished. Surviving are his wife and son, sister Laura, wife of Dr. P. Ketchum of Pine Ridge, Wyoming, and two brothers, A. W. Martin of Belmond and Dr. S. D. Martin of Carroll, Iowa. The funeral services were held at St. Francis Catholic Church Saturday morning at 9:30. The celebrant of the Requiem High Mass was Rev. J. J. Hanley of Dubuque, with Rev. Torpey of Clarion assisting as deacon and Rev. Molloy as sub-deacon. The local choir, assisted by Mr. Paul Bourne of Elgin, Illinois, and Mrs. Gladys Barnes of Garner, sang the mass. The pastor. Rev. Molloy, gave a short, instructive sermon, the name of which was "Death is but the beginning of life." He spoke very highly of Mr. Martin. Burial was made in St. Francis Cemetery. All business places were closed the hour during the funeral in respect for Mr. Martin.