The Harper Sentinel

Friday, April 5, 1901

Front Page Column 4

Obituary

Departed this life on Saturday, March 23, 1901, in the 66th year of his age, Dr. Henry Charles Martin, at the family residence, duly fortified by the rights of the Catholic church.  The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from the Catholic church.  Services for the dead being read by Rev. Father Dykeman, local pastor; Father Kearful, former rector of Harper mission, and now of Glasgow, Mo., delivering the funeral address to one of the largest assemblies of friends from far and near ever seen in the Catholic Church; hundreds being unable to obtain seats or even standing room.  All listened with bowed heads and gave the closest attention to the timely remarks of the preacher.  Mrs. Weatherly, Ms. Dottie Neff, Dr. McKee, of Anthony, and Mr. Fulton, all old friends led the singing and rendered hymns in faultless style.  All joined in the recitation of prayers for the dead by Father Dykeman.  The beautiful flower emblems from friends especially those from the Study and Social Club were particularly notable.  The interment occurred at the family lot in the city cemetery, the Rev., Clergy and an immense throng escourting the remains to their final resting place.

Biographical

Dr. H.  C.  Martin was born in Buffalo, N.Y., May 24^th, 1833, received his education in London, Canada; spent several years in the South at New Orleans; and removed west to Wichita, Kans., in 1872, having previously married Miss Mary Frances Farrel at New Orleans in 1870.  After a time the Dr. and family located at Harper in September, 1878, and at once assumed a commanding lead in his chosen profession of medicine and continued to be widely known and largely sought, and untiring in aiding the sick up to the day of his final illness.  A very trying practice all last winter had undermined the Dr.’s health ‘til pneumonia sees him in its fatal grasp Saturday, March 16.  All that loving care could do, available naught.  The end came peacefully Saturday night, March 23.  On his deathbed Dr. Martin became reconciled to his church, receiving the last rites and died in the blessed hope of a better world grounded by his family, the devout Sisters of Danville, and the priest of the Church of God.

Of the Dr.’s character we can truthfully say: his capacity for work was all consuming; his kindness endeared him to all he came in contact.  As a medical man, consoled and widely known In the southwest.  Farewell, good and gentle Dr. Martin; sleep well and rest, enjoy the repose that you denied yourself in life, but which the good Lord gives to “all the weary at last.”

Four children and his widow, Mrs.  M.  F.  Martin survived the Dr., two dying in infancy.  The living are Charles, Emil, William and Helen.