Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 263
HENRY MARTIN, a resident of Muscatine, was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 21st day of May, 1832, and is the son of Frederick and Lena (Frank) Martin. The father was a native of France, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom are yet living: Carl, who now resides in Amsterdam, Holland; Herman, who is also a resident of the same place; Henry, of this sketch, and Julia, who wedded a Mr. Gesler, and resides in Hessen, Germany. In 1835, the death of the father occurred, but Mrs. Martin survived him many years, dying in 1869.

Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, and at the age of thirteen years was apprenticed to the cooper's trade, serving a term of four years, during which time he received no wages, and part of the time had to pay his own board. In 1854 he left his native land, embarking on a sailing-vessel for America, after a voyage of forty-nine days reached the harbor of New York. For a year he made his home in that city, and in 1855 removed to Iowa, locating at Muscatine, where he worked for two years as a journeyman, and then embarked in business for himself, which he has still continued. In 1859 he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Amelia Hillers, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in the year 1832. Seven children grace the union of this worthy couple: Charlotte, Fred, Henry, Caroline, John, Theodore and William, and the family circle yet remains unbroken.

Mr. Martin is one of the self-made men of Muscatine County. On landing in New York his capital consisted of ninety-five cents in money and a young man's bright hope of the future. Resolving to make his way in the world, he at once began to search for employment, which he soon found, and his labors have been unceasing. He has worked hard and diligently, and has now a comfortable competence laid up for future years. He was the first of his family to locate in the United States, and also the first to become a resident of Iowa. Politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is one of the respected citizens of this community.

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