Masonic funeral services were held this afternoon for W. N. Martin of Kansas City, formerly a Blair merchant. Mr. Martin conducted a hardware business here where the Petersen hardware stands until perhaps fifteen or eighteen years ago. At that time, his wife died and he went to Kansas City to be near his only daughter, Flo, now Mrs. Herbert Poor. He was in the seventies and was a resident of Blair many years. Burial was made in the family lot in the Blair cemetery.

#2 Pilot 12 Nov 1924

Word was received of the death of W. M. Martin, formerly in the hardware business here, at Stroud, Okla., where he was looking after his farm. He made his home with his daughter, Flo, Mrs. Herbert Poor, in Kansas City, Mo. The body is to be brought here on the 2 o’clock train from the south tomorrow, Thursday, and a short service will be held at the station by Rev. Jas. A. McKeeman, pastor of the Congregational church. The body will be taken direct to the cemetery, where it will be given Masonic burial. Mr. Martin conducted a hardware store where the Petersen Hardware is now located, selling out shortly after the death of his wife in 1907 and the marriage of his only daughter. His application for membership in the Modern Woodman lodge shows he was born Sept. 9th, 1845, so he was past 79 years of age. His wife was a daughter of the late J. G. Wadsworth, a resident of this city for many years.

#3 The Tribune 13 Nov. 1924

FORMER BLAIR RESIDENT DIES IN OKLAHOMA

The remains of W. M. Martin, a former hardware merchant of this city, were brought to Blair from Stroud, Oklahoma, this afternoon and laid to rest in the cemetery east of town beside those of his wife, the remains being taken direct from the train. Masonic services were held at the grave.

Mr. Martin was born in Canada, September 9, 1849, and previous engaging in the hardware business here spent a number of years on a farm northwest of Kennard. In the early 90’s he moved to Blair and opened a hardware store in the old frame building located on the side of the Petersenhardware store. He remained there for a number of years and a few years after putting up a two-story brick building disposed of his business to A. R. Brock, Mrs. J. R. Smith purchasing the building. After disposing of his business interests Mr. Martin moved to Oklahoma where he engaged in farming on a small scale.

News of his death first reached Blair Tuesday in a telephone call to Undertaker Campbell from Chas. Wadsworth of Kansas City. Mr. Martin leaves a daughter, Mrs. Herbert Poor, who resides in Kansas City.

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

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