Published in the Pilot December 24, 1919

S. F. Martin whose condition was reported as serious in these columns last week, passed away last Saturday evening at the family residence on East Colfax Street. He had been suffering for some months with stomach trouble but had been able to be at his place of business up to a few days before his death. The end seemed to come more swiftly than was expected, though he was 75 years of age. The funeral was held at the house at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. W. H. Underwood officiating. The music was furnished by a quartette composed of Misses Gertrude Mead and Mary Cook and Dr. C. R. Mead and the writer. Interment was made in the Blair Cemetery.

Mr. Martin was born at Somerton, Ohio, August 12th, 1844, and was therefore 75years of age last August. His parents moved to Des Moines and there he entered the hardware business as a clerk and later was in business for himself at Lewis, Atlanta and Carrol, Ia. He came to this city in 1903 and with Joseph Nurre, with whom he had been associated in the hardware business, bought out and reorganized the Blair Canning Co. under the frim name of Martin & Nurre. They also bought a canning factory at Minden Ia., which they disposed later. Upon the death of Mr. Nurre, he took over the entire business with his brother T. F., whose death occurred last winter, as his able assistant. Since then he has been associated with C. O. Dawson, of San Diego, who bought an interest in the business and who will now continue it.

Mr. Martin was married to Miss Agnes Reeves at Norwalk, Ia., September 8th, 1867, and their married life has been ideal in many respects. Mrs. Martin has been in poor health for some time and his devotion and attention has been beautiful to see and inspiring to know about. The loss of their only daughter, Mabel, Mrs. C. E. Linstedt, who death occurred two years ago the 12th of September, was a severe blow to them, for they loved her almost to the point of worship. Mr. Martin is the last of four own brothers, sons of a Quaker minister, all of them high type Christina gentlemen. He is survived by his wife and two half-brothers, Wm. E. Martin, of Somerton, Ohio, and O. S. Martin, of Dallas Texas, and a stepsister, Mrs. M. L. Finch, of Barnsville, Ohio. In his death Blair loses a prominent citizen and business man of rugged character and of sterling worth. The entire community deeply sympathize with the widow in her great sorrow.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public library.