Alonzo W. Martin

Alonzo W. Martin, son of Harvey and Amanda (West) Martin was born at Russellville, Ohio, April 16th, 1857 and died in Detroit Michigan, Friday April 11, 1924, aged 66 years, 11 months and 23 days. He was the oldest of five children three of whom survive him.
At the age of 15 he came with his parents to Illinois and settled near Roberts which has been his home for more than half a century, except for six years when he lived near Crescent City.
November 24, 1881, he married Miss Mariet F. Nichols of Cincinnati. To them were born two sons and three daughters. The two sons died in infancy. The three daughters are still living. They are Mrs. Elsie Leach of Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Madge Goodrich of Piper City, Illinois and Mrs. Muriel Hargitt, of Pontiac, Michigan. He leaves two brothers, J. E. Martin of Herscher and L. W. Martin of Cullom; and one sister Mrs. T. J. Kirts of Hoopeston; one granddaughter Rosemond Goodrich.
Some time last year Mr. Martin's health began to fail and at the close of the season's work on the farm he sold out and just after Christmas he and Mrs. Martin went to Detroit to make their home with their daughters there. He appeared to improve after his arrival there but about three weeks ago the doctor told them to keep watch of him as the end might come suddenly. On the morning of the the 11th, he and Mr. Leach were starting down town, the latter to his work and Mr. Martin was going to accompany him as he generally found things about the laundry to keep him busy although he did not work regularly but assisted at times in counting, checking, etc.
Mr. Martin had crossed the street car track in front of the house and was waiting for the car and Mr. Leach was just leaving the house to join him when two cars came from opposite directions. The one they were to take had not yet reached them when Mr. Leach saw Mr. Martin throw up his hand. Whether he fell against the car is not certain. The only injuries were about the head. These show that the impact of the car had thrown him backward to the pavement. When the car was stopped he was lying with his feet toward the car. The skull was fractured, and there were other injuries.
He was hurried to the hospital where he lived ten minutes after arrival (twenty minutes after the accident). It is thought possible that a stroke of apoplexy was the primary cause of the fall. Death was caused by cerebral hemorrhage of brain from fractured cranium.
Mrs. Leach suffered from the shock and unable to accompany them to Roberts. Mrs. Hargitt remained also to care for her sister, Mr. Leach accompanied Mrs. Martin here. They arrived here Sunday and went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Hahn from which place the funeral procession started Monday.
Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church Monday at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Jeanetto O. Ferris officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery. Modern Woodsman Camp 2039 of which he had been a member for 27 years had charge of the services at the grave. Those from a distance who attended the funeral were besides Mrs. Martin and Mr. Leach of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Martin and family and Mrs. Henning and family of Herscher, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Martin and family of Cullom, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Goodrich and daughter Rosemond and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Martin and family of Piper City, Mrs. T. J. Kirts and Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Kirts of Hoopeston, and Miss Edna Martin of Frankfort, Indiana.
In this place where Mr. Martin has made his home for fifty years he was known as an honorable, upright man, just in all his dealings; one who valued his good name above riches. He was industrious, frugal and painstaking in all that he did. He was a man of whom we never heard a criticism. A kind husband and father, a good neighbor, a true Christian, an honorable man. We could not say more of any man.

--Roberts Herald.  16 April 1924.