Otto P. Martin
Otto P. Martin, well known in business circles of Waukon as a
member of the firm of Martin & Sons, proprietors of a well
appointed furniture and undertaking establishment, is a native
son of the city, born July 20, 1878. His grandfather, Walter
Martin, was born in Prussia and in that country grew to manhood
and married. With his family, including his son, Henry Martin,
father of the subject of this review, he came to America in 1855
and located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where his death occurred.
Henry Martin was born in Prussia in 1850 and was only five years
of age when he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic. He
remained in Wisconsin until he was sixteen years of age and then
came to Iowa, spending a number of years thereafter upon a farm.
Returning to Wisconsin he learned the carpentering trade and
worked for two years as a journeyman carpenter, coming at the end
of that time to Iowa and locating in Harpers Ferry, where he
established himself in the furniture business. After a few years
he disposed of his interests there and moved to Waukon, where he
rented a business house and established a furniture concern. His
business prospered exceedingly and he was soon able to purchase
land and build his own substantial and commodious store, two
stories of which are occupied by a a well selected stock carried
by Martin & Sons. In 1873 Henry Martin married Miss Sophia
Bieber, a native of Germany, who passed away leaving two
children: Otto P., of this review; and Hulda, the wife of Paul
Dannenburg, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After the death of his first
wife Mr. Martin married Miss Barbara Sandry, a native of Germany,
and to their union were born three children: Marguerita, who
lives at home; and Wayne H. And J. Willard, both of whom are
associated with their father in the conduct of the store.
Otto P. Martin was reared in Waukon and acquired his education in
the city schools. He practically grew up in his father’s
store and mastered the business in principle and detail. Since he
was eighteen years of age he has shared the responsibility of the
conduct of the establishment and in 1899 was made a partner with
his father. Wishing to establish an undertaking department in
connection with the furniture concern, he went to Chicago, where
he attended a course of Lectures, after going to Des Moines to
further pursue his studies. He was a member of the first class in
embalming in the state of Iowa and in 1900 passed his examination
and received a license as an undertaker and funeral director. He
has now been engaged in this line of work for twelve years and
has proved himself thoroughly qualified for the business. Martin
& Sons keep a well selected line of funeral goods and their
parlors are well equipped in every particular. They have two
hearses and carry a fine line of caskets and funeral supplies, a
liberal patronage having been accorded them in recognition of
their reasonable prices and straightforward business dealings.
On January 20, 1904, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss
Helen Hausmeier, a native of Waukon, and they have two children,
Ralph H. and Howard F. Mr. Martin is a member of the Knights of
Pythias and both he and his wife belong to the German Reformed
church and are held in high regard by all who know them.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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