The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-06-25
An Eminent Canadian, George Martin,
OF Montreal.

-------------------
An Eminent Canadian, George Martin,
OF Montreal.
The writer desires to say something,
although not at great length, Of the emf.
nent gentleman who is known to our
people by his writings. It is simply to
give somewhat fuller conception Of the
man. Mr.. Martin is thoroughly known
to the Canadians, who have been lovers
Of his poetry for more than generation.
In Rev. DR.. Dewart's collection of 1868,
some notable poems Of Mr.. Martin ap.
pear ed. Mr.. Martin still lives, an hon.
ored citizen of the largest city in Can.
ada. He was born in 1922 near Kilrea,
in the county Derry, Ireland. So, is
now "a years of age, and hale, vigorous
and genial, after years of an active and
very successful business life. For long
time previous to DR.. Dewart's collection,
in 1853, Mr.. Martin has, as business
avocations permitted, written much in
prose and verse for the Montreal Press.
Mr.. John Reade, himself scholar and
literateur Of great prominence, states
that "Mr. Martins verse always attract.
ed attention for its characteristic vigor
and charm-the vigor of strongly
marked individuality, at once deep and
broad, nd the charm of thoughts that
voluntarily move in harmonious num-
bers.' While still boy, in the north
Of Ireland, (thst historic and beautiful
land 80 dear to Hon. Henry W. Hope
and his compeers of our county, who
also came from there), Mr.. Martin first
discovered he was gifted with the Muses.
power. Mr.. Reade in his article lin the
Magazine of Poetry for 1891, Vol. 8, page
429), gives an appreciative sketch of Mr..
Martin. 1t is brief but generous in it's
scope. Mr.. Martin is of Ulster stock,
which is more Scottish than Irish, and
to which Burns speaks language more
Ineligible than that OF Moore or Davis
or Msngan. When ten years of age, Mr..
Martin came with his family to "bush
farm" in Upper Canada. Life in "the
bush" did not suit him. 1t afforded no
opportunity for developement, and the
poet crossed over the border to the
United States. After prospecting the
territory, he entered the Black River
Institute, at Watertown, New York.
Mr.. Reade says, with what assiduity
the young aspirant gave himself up to
his studies, those who have the privilege
of his acquaintance need not be told.
He learned the rare art of thinking for
himself, without which the taste for
promiscuous reading is more drawback
than an advantage" Mr.. Reade traces
his career as physician, which he
abandoned for photography, and devot.
ed himself to that fascinating art for
more than thirty years. Mr.. Martin
went to Montreal in 1852 and has resid.
ed there ever since. His skill, diligence
and genial manners brought him ample
patronage and generous returns for his
industry. He had a family to provide
for, and he by no means deemed it pru.
dent to make what William Cullen Bry.
ant calls the poets VOW of poverty. In
1866 he engaged in mercantile pursuits,
and was eminently successful. His sons
have succeeded him in his earlier bust.
ness which (partly under his direction)
has undergone great enlargement. Mr..
Reade in conclusion says, "If Mr.. Martin
has been prosperous in his undertakings,
he has been still more blessed in his
home. He has the priceless boon of q
devoted and accomplished wife, and, if
he has not escaped the ills that flesh is
heir to, he has in SONS that venerate him
and grand children that he adores, (of
whom George and Ethel are not un.
known to fame) companionship that
never dies"
Mr.. Reade's sketch was published in
1891. May we hope that all the pleasant
conditions he speaks OF still continue.
If ever man deserves happiness George
Martin does and he is Justly honored by
his fellow citizens for himself alone and
not for borrowed glory. As citizen, bus
mess man, husband, father and friend,
''none know him but to love him, none
name him but to- praise" 1t is to me
. work of pleasure to introduce him to
our people, and to indorse the old prov
erb that "a man that hath friends must
show himself friendly" Mr.. Martin
was friend in need to Charles Heavy.
sege. the author of "Saul." He gener.
ously postponed the publication of his
own poems to enable the long neglected
author of "Saul" to bring out second
edition of his great drama. Many in.
stances of his kindly self sacrificing
nature are known to his friends. In
1887 Mr.. Martin carried out his long
cherished desire and issued bis charming
volume, Marguerite, or the Isle of
Demons" Mr.. Martin lately sent me a
-