T. F. Martin passed through the valley of death and out into the bright light of the life eternal at 4:50 o’clock Monday morning. The end came a little sooner than had been expected though he had been seriously ill the past two months. His trouble was diagnosed as a nervous breakdown from the intense heat of the summer. He gave up work and left for Excelsior Springs with his wife on the 15th day of September. After three weeks spent there and at Eureka Springs he didn’t seem to improve much. For the past six weeks he has been in bed most of the time, but was able to be up and was taken to vote on election day. Not until Sunday did he give up that he was in a critical condition, his last day upon earth. He was conscious up to the last hour of his life, joking about things as was his habit, standing ready to speak the work “welcome” to the death angel when he came to bid him come. And few men have lived the life upon this earth that made them any better prepared to speak that word than had Mr. Martin. His many friends only regret that he was called to speak the word now for such men are greatly needed in this and in every community. An outdoor funeral was held at the family residence on east Grant street at 3 o’clock this afternoon, Rev. W. H. Underwood officiating. Music was furnished by Misses Gertrude and Ethel Mead, F. H. Claridge and the writer. The pallbearers were F. H. Claridge, C. A. Schmidt, Ed Mathiesen, N. Thone , J. E. Lutz and Henry Grimm. Thomas Franklin Martin was born on a farm near Somerton, Belmont county, Ohio, Nov. 10th, 1847 and was therefore just past his 71st birthday. He came to this city in 1897 as manager of the Blair Canning Co., in which his brother, S. F. Martin, was a partner with Mr. Nurre. This position he filled most successfully to the date of his death, a period of twenty-one years. He was most conscientious in all his dealings, devoted to his work and equally devoted to his home, his church his lodge and the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Methodist church and no one ever questioned the genuineness of his Christian life and character. He was a gentleman, refined, intelligent, wholesome, natural, a most delightful companion and friend, a devoted and loveable husband, kindly courteous, brave, joyful, heroic, the ideal citizen. He has now become a citizen of that ideal country toward which the faces of all men good and true are set. Mr. Martin became a member of Garfield Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, of this city May 2nd, 1898, being elected Chancellor Commander of the lodge in November of the same year, serving until Jan. 1st, 1903. He was re-elected to same position in Nov. 1906, serving as Commander continuously since that time until his decease. He was married to Miss Anna Cook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Cook, of this city, Oct. 17th, 1912, and the last six years of his life were the happiest of them all. They went to housekeeping in the house in which Death found him last Monday and enjoyed it more because of the many years he spent without a home and a homekeeper of his own. Besides the beloved wife he leaves one full brother, S. F. Martin of this city and two half brothers, W. E. Martin, who lives in Ohio, and O. S. Martin, of Dallas, Texas. Also a half sister, Mrs. Mollie L. Finch, of Barnsville, Ohio. Besides these he leaves a host of friends whose only wish is that they might some day aspire to the high character he bore among us for so many years.

Tribune 21 Nov. 1918

Thomas F. Martin Passes To The Beyond

After an illness of several months, Thomas F. Martin died at his home in this city, Nov. 18, 1918, at 5:30 a.m., aged 71 years and 8 days.

Thomas Franklin Martin was born on a farm near Somerton, Ohio, Nov. 10, 1847. His early life was passed in the eastern states and in 1897 he came to Blair since which times he has made this his home. He was married October 17, 1912, to Miss Anna Cook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Cook, and one of the successful teachers in the city schools, and they established a home here which was one of the most happy, congenial places for friends together in this vicinity, and where true hospitality was always extended. He assumed the management of the Blair Canning Company a number of years ago, and during the past season worked early and late in spite of his failing health. In company with Mrs. Martin he attended the Epworth Assembly at Lincoln in the late summer and when he returned was suffering from the effects of a bad cold. After the canning season was over Mr. and Mrs. Martin went to Excelsior Springs in the hopes of restoring his health, but the trip was unavailing and he was confined to his room from that time, coming up town only once afterwards, on election day as he was anxious to vote. He also visited a barber shop and then returned home, making both trips in a closed car. He at once began to decline until death came to him as above stated.

He was for many years a member of the Methodist church, and during his residence in Blair has been almost constantly an official member of the local church, and an active worker in the Sunday school, Epworth League, and in all branches of the church. He was also a member of Garfield Lodge No. 6, Knights of Pythias, of Blair and for many years Chancellor Commander which office he held at the time of his death.

Burial took place from the home on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. W. H. Underwood having charge of the services and he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Blair. Besides the wife there are surviving him his brother, S. F. Martin, of this city, and two half-brothers, W. E. Martin, who resides at the old home near Somerton, Ohio, and O. S. Martin, of Dallas, Texas, and a half-sister, Mrs. Mollie L. Fitch, of Barnesville, Ohio.