John J. Marten

Other Events:

• Interesting: suicide, misfortune, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-134019
• Misfortune: 1860; suicide - cobalt, or fly poison
• Residence: 1860, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Marten: Lamentable Suicide

As a sad sequel to the late events that have occurred in our midst, we are called upon to record the death of Mr. John J. Marten, by his own hand. On the morning of the 7th instant, Mr. Marten, who had the previous evening been in low spirits, induced through his recent misfortune, rose from his bed, and unknown to anyone, took a quantity of cobalt, or fly poison. Later in the morning, when effects of the draught began to appear, medical aid was called, and the confession that he had taken the poison by his own hand, was unwillingly drawn from the unfortunate man. All the medical aid that could be procured was called into requisition, but proved unavailing, and he expired about One o'clock the same afternoon. A Jury was called to enquire into the circumstances connected with his death, when a verdict was rendered "that the deceased committed suicide by poison while under the influence of temporary insanity." The sad and unexpected news was received by our citizens with melancholy interest, as being so utterly at variance with what was anticipated from deceased, situated even as he was. We question much whether the life of anyone man has ever furnished a similar chapter of events within the period of one week. Our column last week announced the marriage of Mr. Marten, which took place the previous week. On the Saturday following this happy event, his factory was consumed by fire, and now, we are pained to say, as a melancholy finale to the whole, we have to announce his decease. The friends and relatives of the unfortunate man, have our sympathy and that of their Townspeople in their bereavement.


Berlin Telegraph 15 Jun 1860

John married Frances Gilkinson 30 May 1860, , Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Frances (daughter of David Gilkinson and Margaret Geddes) was born 1838, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]