A face that was familiar to the people of this town and community for three score and ten years will be seen no more. A telegram to Ed Martz, from Ravenna, Michigan, announced the death of his brother, Ben Martz. The deceased man had a paralytic stroke on October 29th, and died on November 13th.
Ben Martz, one of eight brothers, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martz, and was born in this vicinity about 75 years ago. He was an industrious man and always supported himself by hard work, until old age rendered him unfit to cope with life's battle. For years he lived in a cabin on the slaughter house grounds, southeast of town. About two years ago, because of his enfeebled condition, he was taken to the county house. In a few days he ran away and came back to his cabin. He was returned to the poor farm, but again he left without permission. This time he walked to Michigan, where he had relatives. He remained up there awhile and then wandered back to Mulberry only to be caught and taken back to the county farm. There was a little money due him from the sale of his house and when this money was paid him, he paid his fare back to Michigan, where he made his home, since last spring, with his brother, Jim Martz.
Some time before he left here, Ben made his coffin, a crude box of unpainted poplar boards, lined with gunny sacking. It was his desire to be buried near his cabin beside his dogs that were his companions in his latter years. Of course his wishes could not be complied with. The coffin is stored in the local undertaking rooms.
Ben Martz was never married. Probably the best years of his life were lived in the days when Joe Steckel owned the butcher shop. He did errands for Mr. Steckel and got most of his living on scraps from the shop and slaughter house.
Of this large family, three remain – William, Levi, and Ed. There were three daughters, only one of whom grew up.
-- The Mulberry Reporter, November 16, 1928
Ben Martz, one of eight brothers, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martz, and was born in this vicinity about 75 years ago. He was an industrious man and always supported himself by hard work, until old age rendered him unfit to cope with life's battle. For years he lived in a cabin on the slaughter house grounds, southeast of town. About two years ago, because of his enfeebled condition, he was taken to the county house. In a few days he ran away and came back to his cabin. He was returned to the poor farm, but again he left without permission. This time he walked to Michigan, where he had relatives. He remained up there awhile and then wandered back to Mulberry only to be caught and taken back to the county farm. There was a little money due him from the sale of his house and when this money was paid him, he paid his fare back to Michigan, where he made his home, since last spring, with his brother, Jim Martz.
Some time before he left here, Ben made his coffin, a crude box of unpainted poplar boards, lined with gunny sacking. It was his desire to be buried near his cabin beside his dogs that were his companions in his latter years. Of course his wishes could not be complied with. The coffin is stored in the local undertaking rooms.
Ben Martz was never married. Probably the best years of his life were lived in the days when Joe Steckel owned the butcher shop. He did errands for Mr. Steckel and got most of his living on scraps from the shop and slaughter house.
Of this large family, three remain – William, Levi, and Ed. There were three daughters, only one of whom grew up.
-- The Mulberry Reporter, November 16, 1928
A face that was familiar to the people of this town and community for three score and ten years will be seen no more. A telegram to Ed Martz, from Ravenna, Michigan, announced the death of his brother, Ben Martz. The deceased man had a paralytic stroke on October 29th, and died on November 13th.
Ben Martz, one of eight brothers, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martz, and was born in this vicinity about 75 years ago. He was an industrious man and always supported himself by hard work, until old age rendered him unfit to cope with life's battle. For years he lived in a cabin on the slaughter house grounds, southeast of town. About two years ago, because of his enfeebled condition, he was taken to the county house. In a few days he ran away and came back to his cabin. He was returned to the poor farm, but again he left without permission. This time he walked to Michigan, where he had relatives. He remained up there awhile and then wandered back to Mulberry only to be caught and taken back to the county farm. There was a little money due him from the sale of his house and when this money was paid him, he paid his fare back to Michigan, where he made his home, since last spring, with his brother, Jim Martz.
Some time before he left here, Ben made his coffin, a crude box of unpainted poplar boards, lined with gunny sacking. It was his desire to be buried near his cabin beside his dogs that were his companions in his latter years. Of course his wishes could not be complied with. The coffin is stored in the local undertaking rooms.
Ben Martz was never married. Probably the best years of his life were lived in the days when Joe Steckel owned the butcher shop. He did errands for Mr. Steckel and got most of his living on scraps from the shop and slaughter house.
Of this large family, three remain – William, Levi, and Ed. There were three daughters, only one of whom grew up.
-- The Mulberry Reporter, November 16, 1928
Ben Martz, one of eight brothers, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martz, and was born in this vicinity about 75 years ago. He was an industrious man and always supported himself by hard work, until old age rendered him unfit to cope with life's battle. For years he lived in a cabin on the slaughter house grounds, southeast of town. About two years ago, because of his enfeebled condition, he was taken to the county house. In a few days he ran away and came back to his cabin. He was returned to the poor farm, but again he left without permission. This time he walked to Michigan, where he had relatives. He remained up there awhile and then wandered back to Mulberry only to be caught and taken back to the county farm. There was a little money due him from the sale of his house and when this money was paid him, he paid his fare back to Michigan, where he made his home, since last spring, with his brother, Jim Martz.
Some time before he left here, Ben made his coffin, a crude box of unpainted poplar boards, lined with gunny sacking. It was his desire to be buried near his cabin beside his dogs that were his companions in his latter years. Of course his wishes could not be complied with. The coffin is stored in the local undertaking rooms.
Ben Martz was never married. Probably the best years of his life were lived in the days when Joe Steckel owned the butcher shop. He did errands for Mr. Steckel and got most of his living on scraps from the shop and slaughter house.
Of this large family, three remain – William, Levi, and Ed. There were three daughters, only one of whom grew up.
-- The Mulberry Reporter, November 16, 1928
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