History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Martin, Eli P. a well known and respected citizen of Rhinelander, in which city he has resided for the last 30 years, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, June 5, 1851. He was educated in the public schools of his native province and also in those of Vermont, to which state he went when only ten years old and where he grew to manhood. His first industrial occupation was as a working in sawmills and in time he attained the position of head sawyer, running a four-foot circular saw for four years. He then went to Massachusetts, where he was employed by the Amaskageg corporation and also by the Stark corporation, altogether about six years. He had married in 1873 and he and his wife now opened up a large boarding-house for the corporation at Manchester, N.H., which they conducted for four years. At the end of that time they went to Lowell, Mass., where for a similar length of time they conducted the largest boarding-house in the city, accommodating as many as 200 boarders. The low rates for which they furnished board would seem almost incredible in these days, as they charged girls and women but $1.50 per week and men $2.50, including washing. This meant a deal of hard work for them both, but in spite of the low prices charged they made a little money. At the end of the four years the house was overhauled and turned into a hosiery and Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN came west to Marinette, Wis., and from there in 1893 to Rhinelander, where for several years they kept boarding-houses for sawmill men. In the same occupation they were two years at Jeffris and then two years for the Yawkey Lumber Co. at Hazelhurst; after that they were two years at State Line, in Vilas County, and one year at Three Lakes, Oneida County. At the end of that time they took up their permanent home in Rhinelander and in 1903 they built the Martin flat on S. Pelham Street. This flat contains seven five-room apartments and a store; and all are rented out except one apartment occupied by Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN. They also own several other residences and city property in Rhinelander. They were married Oct. 9, 1873, in the Congregational parsonage at Plainfield, Vt., by the Rev. Charles REDFIELD, the same minister who married President Grover CLEVELAND. Mrs. MARTIN, whose maiden name was Catherine MARTIN, was born in Marshfield, Vt., April 8, 1853, was there educated and before her marriage taught school for five terms. Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN have a family of three children: Julia Louise, of Rhinelander; Blanche Inez, of Paradise, Mont.; and Elbert Eli, who is an attorney of New York City. The last mentioned is a graduate of the old Central High School of Rhinelander. He studied evenings at the Detroit Law School, was admitted to the bar at Lansing, Mich., and has since risen to an honorable place in his profession through diligent application united with natural ability. At Milwaukee in 1912 he brought himself into world prominence by seizing and holding the would-be assassin of Theodore ROOSEVELT, a crank named SCHRANK, after he had shot and wounded the Colonel. Young MARTIN has entered Mr. ROOSEVELT'S employ as secretary, some time previously, after doing good stenographic and clerical work in the bureau of the "Bull Moose" Progressive part in New York City, and he was accompanying him on his campaign when the incident occurred. He doubtless saved Colonel ROOSEVELT'S life by wresling the revolver from SCHRANK, thus preventing the latter from firing another shot. After ROOSEVELT had failed of election and there was no more campaign work to do, Elbert E. MARTIN was employed for some time in a confidential position at the Hotel Vanderbilt, New York. Early in August, 1914, he was selected to to abroad to locate patrons of the hotel who might have become stranded in the war zone. He was provided by Colonel ROOSEVELT with a letter of introduction to Hon. Walter H. PAGE, American ambassador, London, England, which read as follows: "This is to introduce to you my friend, Mr. Elbert E. MARTIN. He was the man who seized my would-be assassin after the latter had shot me at Milwuakee, MARTIN showing the utmost nerve, coolness, and presence of mind on the occasion. He is a fine fellow in every way, absolutely trustworthy, and I most cordially commend him to your courtesy." In fulfilling his duties in Europe he has a number of adventures which made demands on his tact, courage and energy, but in practicaly every tight place in which he found himself, he found Theodore ROSSEVELT'S letter the best kind of passport. It should be added that he made the trip around the world with the former president. He married Mabel ARMSTRONG, a graduate of Hillsdale College, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Eli P. MARTIN have a grandson,-a son of their daughter, Blanche Inez-who is now in the employ of Dot NICHOLS in the mining business at Gilmore, Idaho. Mr. MARTIN is fraternally affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. MARTIN, being a Mayflower descendant, is eligible to all the national societies of the United States, including the Colonial Dames, the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Order of 1812, but so far she has only joined the Daughters of the American Revolution. The home of the MARTINS is situated at No. 408 S. Pelham Street.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 350-351 (with picture); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others; H.C. Cooper Jr. & Co, 1924

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