George Martin^{[1, 2]}

1841 - 1930  (88 years)

• Name	George Martin
  Born	30 Sep 1841	Exeter, Devonshire, England   [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	1869	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	saddler
  Occupation	1871	Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Saddler
  Elected Office	1876	Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	councillor of Hespeler
  House of Industry and Refuge	manager
  Nationality	, Canada   [6]
  Occupation	1881	Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Saddler
  Immigration	1885	, Canada   [6]
  Occupation	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Manager House of Refuge
  Residence	1911	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [9]
  	Methodist
  Residence	1921	72 Brubacher St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Residence	1921	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Methodist
  Residence	1930	72 Brubacher St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-177160
  Died	3 Mar 1930	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Buried	Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I177160	Generations
  Last Modified	3 Mar 2025

  
  

  Father	George Martin,   b. 1813, , England ,   d. 14 Nov 1890  (Age 77 years)
  Mother	Grace Howard,   b. CALC 4 Feb 1810, , Devonshire, England ,   d. 13 Feb 1890, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 79 years)
  Family ID	F48082	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Matilda Eagle,   b. 1839, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 31 Mar 1884, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 45 years)
  Married	2 May 1863	, Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada   [7]
  Children	1. Frederick H. Martin,   d. Yes, date unknown   2. Florence Martin,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Albert E. Martin,   b. 1867, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   4. Arthur James Martin,   b. 15 Sep 1869, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   5. Mary Martin,   b. 1875, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown   6. Herbert Washington Martin,   b. 22 Oct 1880, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 16 Jul 1956, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 75 years)
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F24451	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Annie E. Seward,   b. 8 Oct 1862, Corunna, , Ontario ,   d. 26 Nov 1935, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 73 years)
  Married	1885
  Children	1. Florence Estella Martin,   b. 30 Jul 1889, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 16 Oct 1970  (Age 81 years)   2. Frederick H. Martin,   b. Jul 1894, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F175695	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 3	Annie,   b. 1861, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2025
  Family ID	F243691	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		George Martin 1906 From Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir located at the Kitchener Public Library
  		George Martin 1906 From Berlin Today 1806-1906 official souvenir located at the Kitchener Public Library
  		George Martin From: Berlin Celebration of Cityhood 1912

  
  

• Notes

  QUALITIES OF A MANAGER Mr. George Martin Gives a Paper At Charities and Correction Convention CRITICIZE GOVERNMENT "Kind, tender-hearted, and firm, but not soft headed." These were the qualifications which to the mind of Mr. George Martin of Berlin are absolutely necessary to the making of a good manager for a House of Refuge. His was the first paper read at the morning's session of the Charities and Corrections conference in Toronto on Wednesday. Referring to the problem of the feeble minded woman, he thought it was well to confine them in county Houses of Refuge, as they could there be given easy work and kept out of trouble. Berlin Daily Telegraph Thursday October 21, 1909 _____________________________ OLD CITIZEN OF KITCHENER OBSERVES EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY Mr. George Martin for Many Years Manager of County House OF Refuge is Receiving Congratulations. Eighty years old, hale, hearty, alert in mind and body after an active life during which he overcame his full share of obstacles and difficulties of coming to a new country as an immigrant lad and establishing himself; and finally to look back upon a life of service to his fellow men holding the confidence and respect of a wide circle of personal business friends. That is George Martin, 73 Brubacher St., who is today celebrating his eightieth birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were manager and matron, respectively until five years ago of the County House of Refuge. At that time they retired, having had the position longer than any person in the history of the institution, eighteen and a half years. Mr. Martin first saw the light of this world in the city of Exeter, Devonshire, England on September 30 1841. When 13 years of age, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Martin, two brothers and two sisters he migrated to Canada. An Uncle James Martin, had preceded them and it was to his farm in Wellesley to which their footsteps were turned. They took the train to Galt, and were met there by James Martin who drove them to what was to be their home. ONLY ENGLISH BOY Shortly after arriving in Wellesley, George Martin was apprenticed to learn the harness making with Robert MacLaren at St. Jacobs. At that time he was the only English boy in the little village. He was a typical English lad, and having been nicknamed John Bull did his best to maintain the reputation with which that name is associated as a "scrapper." During the next few years, Mr. Martin rambled a bit, going from St. Jacobs to Newmarket. However he stayed there only a couple of months. He also ventured to Dunkirk and Jamestown N.Y. in 1866 where he stayed for a few months more. For a time he worked at his trade in Galt. Eventually he returned to his parent's home, who at this time, were living on a farm at Puslinch Lake, near Hespeler. A short time later at the age of 20, he opened a harness shop in Hespeler. Subsequently he sold it to Oliver Baker of Hespeler, trading the property for farm land at Puslinch Lake, on which the hotel at that place now stands. He lived on the farm for about three years, but the lure of the harness shop again called him and he took over his old business from Oliver Baker. He ran the harness shop for about ten years and then opened a grocery store which he conducted for about five years. He built a new store following this and opened a butcher shop as well which he ran for nine years. The harness business in the meantime was disposed of to John Flynn of Hespeler. Mr. Martin also owned a bakery for a short time. 42 APPLICANTS In 1896 the vacancy in the management of the House of Refuge occurred. Mr. Martin with 41 others applied for the position, although it is said he was one of the most surprised of men when he received the appointment. However, his general Knowledge of farming and various talents stood him in good stead when the qualification of the applicants for the position were being considered. Of necessity he then sold out his Hespeler stores and moved to Kitchener. During his occupancy of the position at the House of Refuge his experience and knowledge of men time and again helped him overcome the difficulties that are certain to arise in an institution where about 100 old folk must be cared for. When he retired in after eighteen and a half years holding the position Married Twice. Mr. Martin was married twice, He was first wedded to Matilda Eagle of Puslinch in 1863. Five children were born to them, three of whom still survive, Albert of Holyoke Mass., Arthur of 169 Lancaster St. W. and Harold W., who succeeded his father as manager of the House of Refuge this city. He was married a second time to Annie E Seward. Three children were born to them two of whom are still living. Florence, Mrs. V. l. Cober, Samuel St. and Fred H., Simeon St. While living in Hespeler, Mr. Martin also served his townsfolk as a member of council for a number of years. For 15 years he was also a justice of the peace there. For many years Mr. Martin has been an active worker in the Methodist Church, part of the time as a local preacher. He is a staunch member of Trinity Church of this city and has served in various official capacities here. Mr. Martin recalled many interesting reminiscences when conversing with the Telegraph representative. He crossed the ocean in 30 days and this despite a delay of several days when the wooden vessel, the Slam in which they were crossing, was caught in the ice floes. When off the banks of Newfoundland the vessel had a hole ground in it by the ice and it was with difficulty that the Captain released the craft from the danger zone. When this was done the passengers and freight were placed on one side of the boat and the hole was temporarily repaired, thus terminating the day and night work of manning the pumps. When Mr. Martin owned the Puslinch farm he was approached to sell certain parties enough land on the shore as a site for a hotel. Mr. Martin was a very strong Temperance worker and he refused to sell any of his land for such a purpose. Finally they gained their end by sending a stranger to him to buy a site for a shed. This he readily sold for $150 on being promised it would not be used for a hotel. However the promise was broken and the hotel was erected. Contrasting the wages paid when he was harness making with those paid today, Mr. Martin recalled that when working in Galt he had to walk two miles to the shop and although by this time a journeyman, he only received a dollar a day at the time he was married. Kitchener Daily Record Friday September 30, 1921 _____________________ FORMER MANAGER HOUSE OF REFUGE DIED LAST NIGHT George Martin, Who Held Position Almost 20 Years, passed Away After Short Illness Death claimed a well known resident of Kitchener last night in the person of George Martin, who held the position of manager of the House of Refuge for almost twenty years. Mr. Martin, who has been in poor health for some time, became seriously ill almost ten days ago, and died at his home 73 Brubacher Street, at the age of 89 years. Mr. Martin was born in England in 1841 and came to Canada on a sailing vessel in 1855, with his family who settled north of St. Jacobs. The deceased here learned the harness trade, and the family finally moved to Puslinch and later Mr. Martin conducted a harness business in Hespeler. In 1896 he moved to Kitchener where he became manager of the house of refuge, which position he held for almost 20 years, retiring 14 years ago. He took a great interest in church work, and was one of the founders of the Hespeler Methodist Church. On coming to Kitchener, he was a teacher in the bible school, later becoming trustee and member of the quarterly board of the Methodist Church. At the time of Church union, he was ordained as a senior leader of Trinity United Church. Mr. Martin was married twice, his first wife being Matilda Eagle of Hespeler. To this union were born four sons and one daughter, Alfred and Mary of Hespeler and Arthur James of Kitchener, predeceased their father, Albert E. of Holyoke, Mass., and Herbert W. of Kitchener, surviving him. In 1885 He married Annie K. Seward of Corunna, Ont. To this union were born two sons and one daughter Florence (Mrs V.L.Cober) and Frederick H. both of Kitchener. Theodore S, having died in 1906 at the age of 20 years. Seven grandchildren also survive. He had one sister, the late Mrs John Paddock of Puslinch, Ont., and two brothers the late Thomas Martin of Holyoke Mass., and the late William Martin of Dunkirk N.Y., who was American Consul for twelve years and American Governor general in China for four years, holding this position during the Boxer rebellion. The funeral will be held on Thursday afternoon and further arrangements will be announced tomorrow. Kitchener Daily Record Tuesday 3 March 1930 ____________________________ George Martin The funeral of George Martin, who died at his home 72 Brubacher Street, Monday night, will take place tomorrow. After a private service at the home services will be conducted by Rev. W.D. Spence at Trinity United Church at 1 o'clock. Interment will be made at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Kitchener Daily Record Wednesday 5 March 1930 ____________________________________ DEATH OF GEORGE MARTIN George Martin, one of the old-timers of Hespeler, passed away at his home in Kitchener on Monday evening at the advanced age of 89 years. Mr. Martin moved from Hespeler some 34 years ago to become manager of the house of refuge. He retired from that position about 14 years ago. He was born in England in 1841 and came to Canada on a sailing vessel in 1855, with his family who settled north of St. Jacobs. The deceased here learned the harness trade, and the family finally moved to Puslinch and later conducted a harness business in Hespeler for a number of years. He took a great interest in church work, and was one of the founders of the Hespeler Methodist Church. On coming to Kitchener, he was a teacher in the bible school, later becoming trustee and member of the quarterly board of the Methodist Church. At the time of Church union, he was ordained as a senior leader of Trinity United Church. Mr. Martin was married twice, his first wife being Matilda Eagle of Hespeler. To this union were born four sons and one daughter, Alfred and Mary of Hespeler and Arthur James of Kitchener, predeceased their father, Albert E. of Holyoke, Mass., and Herbert W. of Kitchener, surviving him. In 1885 he married Annie K. Seward of Corunna, Ont. To this union were born two sons and one daughter Florence(Mrs V.L.Cober) and Frederick H. both of Kitchener. Theodore S, having died in 1906 at the age of 20 years. Seven grandchildren also survive. He had one sister, the late Mrs John Paddock of Puslinch, Ont., and two brothers the late Thomas Martin of Holyoke Mass., and the late William Martin of Dunkirk N.Y., who was American Consul for twelve years and American Governor general in China for four years, holding this position during the Boxer rebellion. Hespeler Herald Friday 6 March 1930

  
  

• Sources

  [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration. Lucy Gertrude Seibert Age: 27 Father: Franklin Seibert Mother: Sarah Bedford Born: abt 1884 Spouse: Herbert Washington Martin Age: 30 Father: George Martin Mother: Eliza Eagle married 23 Aug 1911 [S2403] News - Unidentified Newspaper Obituary, Obituary of Herbert W. Martin. [S508] Census - ON, Waterloo, Hespeler - 1871, Page 1. [S299] Census - ON, Waterloo, Hespeler - 1881, Page 19. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Berlin Div. 26 1911 Page 1. [S2264] Census - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - 1921, Sub Dist. 30 Page 4. [S51] Vit - ON, Wentworth - Wentworth County Marriage Register 1858-1869. George Martin Age 21 Birth Date abt 1842 Birth PlaceEngland Marriage Date 2 May 1863 Wentworth Father George Martin Mother Grace Martin Spouse: Matilda Eagle Spouse's Age 23 Spouse Birth Date abt 1840 Spouse Birth Place Canada Spouse Residence Puslinch Township Spouse Father Samuel Eagle Spouse Mother Ann Eagle Residence Hespeler [S57] Vit - ON - Birth Registration. Arthur James Martin Born: 15 Sep 1869 County: Waterloo Father: George Martin Mother: Matilda Eagle [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 26 Pg 1.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 30 Sep 1841 - Exeter, Devonshire, England Married - 2 May 1863 - , Wentworth Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - saddler - 1869 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Saddler - 1871 - Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Elected Office - councillor of Hespeler - 1876 - Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Nationality - - , Canada Occupation - Saddler - 1881 - Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Immigration - 1885 - , Canada Occupation - Manager House of Refuge - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Methodist - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Methodist - 1921 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 3 Mar 1930 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth