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- DR. C. LOFTUS MARTIN, an early settler of Rock County, Wis.,
- and a distinguished member and officer of the Masonic Fraternity,
both in England and America, was born in Hollerton, Nottinghamshire,
England, May 1, 1803, and is a son of Mark and Mary Loftus (CUSHMAN)
MARTIN. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born
in Doncaster, Yorkshire, and was the owner of the farm he occupied.
His mother was born and reared in Nottinghamshire.
- The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's
farm, and
- attended school until he acquired a fair English education,
he having to walk four English miles daily to his school. His
parents were thrifty, worthy people, who did all in their power
to improve their children, both mentally and morally, and were
highly respected members of society.
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- On attaining his majority Charles L. left the parental roof.
Being a younger son he had no share in
- the ancestral acres, and was obliged to make his own way
in the world. After leaving his home he wended his way to London,
where he engaged as merchant's clerk, his duties involving those
of collector as well as clerk. During his leisure hours he entered
upon the study of anatomy and surgery, and for three years was
a student at St. George's Hospital of London. He subsequently
turned his attention to veterinary surgery, becoming a student
of the veterinary college of London, finishing the course in
1828. He then engaged in the practice of his profession in London,
proving skillful in that line, and acquired a wide reputation.
Having secured some capital, he invested it in horses and hacks,
and established himself in business opposite the Queen's Gardens.
His patrons were of the best people, many of them being of the
nobility.
- In 1829 the Doctor, in marriage ceremony performed in London,
united his destiny with that of
- Miss Ann CRONK, a daughter of his business partner. He continued
to reside in the city until 1848, when with his wife he emigrated
from England to America. The first year was spent in traveling
through the southern and western part of the United States, and
in 1849 he purchased a fine farm of 200 acres near the city of
Beloit, Wis., where he engaged in farming and raising fine horses.
His first introduction into business in this State proved a very
unfortunate financial experience. He was induced to loan $11,400
on what he supposed to be good security, but which subsequently
proved to be worthless, so that he never realized but $200 out
of the investment. However, he prospered with his farm, which
he brought to a high state of improvement and which he continued
to operate until he lost his wife, who die din 1856. The following
year he sold the farm, which is now the property of H. H. McLENIGAN,
and one of the finest pieces of farm property in Rock County.
In 1857 he removed to Janesville, where he established himself
in practice as a veterinary surgeon, and where he has since continued
to reside. His rare skill and marked success in his profession
led to a large and lucrative practice, which, although now in
his eighty-seventh year, he has maintained with ease, covering
a period of thirty-one years.
- On coming to America the Doctor affiliated with the Whig
party in politics, but his sympathies
- being in favor of human liberty, he soon became identified
with the Free-soil party, and later with the Republican party.
He maintained his connection with the last named organization
until a few years ago, when, becoming dissatisfied with the party
management, he endorsed President Cleveland's administration,
and is now in sympathy with the policy of the Democratic party
in national matters. He has never been ambitious of political
honors, and has held no public office except that of Alderman
in which he served two terms in the Janesville City Council,
and that of Coroner of Rock County. But in Freemasonry the Doctor
has borne a conspicuous and honored part, both in England and
America. From a certificate issued by the Masonic Lodge called
the Lion and Lamb, No. 227, of London, which was formed under
the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England, it appears
that C. L. Martin was initiated in that body, Dec. 5, 1831; that
he is a Past Master and that he had served in all the several
offices of that Lodge to the entire satisfaction of the brethren,
who strongly recommended him to the fraternities generally, as
a well-posted and highly-esteemed brother. The certificate was
duly signed by the proper officers and bears the seal of the
lodge. The Doctor served five years as Master of that lodge,
which comprised in its membership leading businessmen and several
of the nobility. After coming to America he soon became prominent
in the work of the Order in this country. He helped to organize
the Chapter at Beloit, and later became a member of Janesville
Lodge, of which he has served as Master many years. In 1858 he
was elected Grand Master of the Royal and Select Masters of Wisconsin,
was twice re-elected to the same position, and has since been
a prominent member of the Grand Lodge of the State. In 1873 he
was elected Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge, also High
Priest of the Chapter, which position he held several years.
He was a charter member and Eminent Commander of the Janesville
Commandery, and on the 12th day of August, 1876, was appointed
by the Grand Lodge of Nevada as their representative to the Grand
Lodge of Wisconsin. On the 25th day of January, 1877, he was
appointed representative to the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin from
the Grand Royal Arch-Chapter of West Virginia. The Doctor has
long been recognized as one of the most prominent Masons of this
State, and his name will be found inscribed in the reports of
all the Grand bodies of that Order in Wisconsin, as one of the
active working members of each, and often in the roll of officers.
He has now been a member of the Order for fifty-seven years and
has worked zealously to advance its interests and to promote
unity and fraternal feeling among his brethren of the craft.
- Dr. MARTIN has long been identified with the Rock County
Agricultural Society and has served
- as Vice-president and President. When the history of the
Wisconsin State Agricultural Society shall be written, his name
will necessarily figure conspicuously as one who has labored
long and faithfully in its interests. He assisted in the organization
of the Society and has served many years as an officer in the
same, being Vice-president twenty-eight years. The Hon. N. D.
FRATT, President of the First National Bank of Racine and ex-President
of the Wisconsin Agricultural Society, in a recent letter to
Dr. MARTIN, suggests the appropriateness of publishing in the
transactions of the Society short biographical sketches of old
veterans in the cause, with portraits, giving a place of honor
to his friend, the Doctor. Such a proposition from a gentleman
like Mr. FRATT is a high compliment.
- On the 16th day of February, 1858, Dr. MARTIN was commissioned
Lieutenant Colonel of the
- 9th regiment Wisconsin State Militia by Gov. Alex RANDALL
- an item of interest in the history of our subject not generally
known even among his friends.
- He and his wife had no children but reared two girls. One,
Miss Ann CRONK, was a niece of
- his wife, and is now the widow of James HEMMING, and lives
in Chicago. She acknowledges the kind and fatherly care of the
Doctor by filial affection and sincere regard. The other, Harriet
GOLDSTONE, is a niece of an English Masonic friend, and is now
the Doctor's wife, their marriage having been celebrated in 1885.
Though fourscore and six years of age, Dr. Martin is in full
possession of his metal faculties, and is remarkably hale and
hearty, more so than many men twenty years his junior. He is
actively employed still in his business of veterinary surgery
and maintains the confidence of his patrons in his skill and
ability. As a man and citizen he is held in high esteem for his
strict integrity and sterling qualities of head and heart.
- It is with pleasure we present the fine portrait of the Doctor,
which appears upon the opposite
- page.
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-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 626-628; lithograph in unnumbered
page following p. 628.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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