Obituary Record

Alexander Martin
Died on 3/23/1902

27 Mar., 1902 - Blair Courier - Alexander Martin - Civil War Veteran

Alexander Martin, the sexton at the Baptist church failed to ring the bell for service last Sunday, nor was there any fire to warm the worshippers. This was thought strange, and thinking he might be in the basement Stanley Belknap went down and found Mr. Martin lying on the floor near the furnace in an unconscious condition, and as the fire had gone out, he must have been stricken about two hours before. Stanley came back and told his father, who had rang the last bell in the meantime, and the church service had begun, and with some other men they carried him out and took him over to his home in Fairview. He could open his eyes and move his left hand, but he could not speak. Dr. Mortlock was called and pronounced it paralysis from the effects of a blood clot on the brain. He gradually grew weaker and expired at 10 o’clock Monday night surrounded by his wife and five children, Ernest, Tom, Fred, Cora and Hugh. The funeral was conducted by his pastor, Rev. C. E. Tingley, in the Baptist church at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Martin was born in Searcey county, Arkansas in 1837, served nine months in the Ciil War, was married to Miss Nancy Kelly shortly after, and came to this county 34 years ago. He had been the sexton of that church for over seven years, and as Rev. Tingley said “he had been a mighty faithful one too”. His sudden death brings sadness to his many friends and a deep and abiding sorrow to his wife and children.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial # 57412146

Printed in the Blair Courier on 3/27/1902


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