The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-21
SCHOLAR, SOLDIER,
LINGUIST, HERMIT
Remarkable Career of Henry
NJ. Martin Comes to End.
HIS VARIABLE FORTUNES
Man of Astonishing Talent, Whose
Lies History Reads Like Novel,
Buried in Arlington.
HIS VARIABLE FORTUNES

of mental anguish and hurl with mer-
CHESS hands into dire poverty.
Henry NJ. Martin, scholar. fnancier,
soldier. chemical expert linguist. has
drained the last drop from his cup OF
calamity. after having slipped the cor
dials of prosperity and the liqueurs of
renown. Though he lived most of his
life in grandeur and comfort, his last
few years were spent as a hermit in
a small log cabin just beyond the city
proper.
Born in New York.
Mr.. Martin was born in New York
city in the year 1888 He was educated
IN Dr.. Middleditch's Seminary. Eng
land. and his instruction under this
distinguished parsonage matured a par
ticularly fertile brain. early in life.
While yet in his teens Martin return
ed to New York and secured employ
ment as clerk in the New York branch
or the Franklin Insurance Company, of
Philadelphia.
Exceptional business ability and his
fascinating personality secured for him
the commentator and trust of promi-
nent and influential men. and betokened
for him a successful business career.
After a. few months IF experience he
resigned to accept the position of chief
clerk and assistant secretary in the
Washington Insurance Company. A few
years later he resigned This position to
enter business for himself establishing
the firm of Martin & Stonig. While in
this firm he became a prominent man
in the New York business world.
Enlists in State Militia.
The outbreak of the civil war tempo
rarily dissolved this partnership. and
Martin left a business paying him from
$4,000 10 $500 a year TO enlist with a
number of friends as a private in the
Twelfth New York State militia This
regiment. under General Butterdeld,
sailed from New York on the transport
Baltic and eamped - Annapolis and
later IN Georgetown. Martin had
during this time been promoted
10 commsssary officer Of subsistence
on Butterheld's staff holding the
rank OF second lieutenant While at
Georgetown the total suppers for his
regiment were found 70 be spoiled and
not pound OF meat could be secured
TO feed the men.
Martin Immediately rode into Wash
ington and asked To see Secretary
Stanton, after listening to his state
ment OF the conditions Stanton is
missed the subject as too trivial 10
occupy his time. Lincoln was more
easily impressed, however, and readily
gave the necessary orders to correct
the condition Martins prompt action
and the associated success brought him
much praise from those higher in rank.
At Harpers Ferry.
At Harpers Ferry. Martin was thrown
from his horse and received a severe
scalp wound and also developed almost
Immediately an enormous rupture
Though he endeavored TO continue in
service he experienced such excrutiat-
ing agony that he was compelled in
few weeks TO retire.
Returning TO New York city he be-
came prominent as an insurance adjust
er. He spent much of his free time.
however, in studying chemistry and
familiarizing himself more particularly
with that department OF the science per-
tanning TO the manufacture of gases.
His thorough knowledge Of making
Illuminating gas made him a valuable
member OF the Equitable Gas Light and
Construction Company. of which he was
elected vice president. He gave this
company his active service as an ex-
pert both in the construction of their
plants and in the manufacture of gas.
Associated with him in this work were
such men of prominence as Burr Wake
man, Jacob Stout, Norman Miller. VIII
liam orion, John c. Havemeyer, Mar
shall Lefterts, John r. Cecil r. w.
De Forest. Tracy r. Edison. Charles If. |
Simpkins. Alexander Waldron, and 9TH |
ers.
Baltimore Gas Works.
He planned the construction Of the /
large gas works in Baltimore and earned |
for himself the reputation OF being |
the foremost expert of the manufactu~e |
of gas in the country.
In 1876 Martin went to Havana and
built large gas plant there. He was |
a heavy stakeholder in this company /
While there he also constructed the
first plant in Cuba for the manufacture |
OF ice.
Martin contracted yellow fever in Cuba !
and was for many weeks in a danger |
Gus condition. Rallying from this dis |
ease he returned to New York and gave |
all of his time during the next few years |
TO perfecting his pet scheme, that of /
supplying gas and water TO the entire |
-city Of San Francisco. This enterprise. /
.ll of those in whom he eonfided. was
tie first of a long series of misfortunes
lAat was to be his lot for the remain
der of his life.
Returns 10 New York.
This enterprise was most gigantic.
involving several million dollars and
vitality interesting prominent fnanciers
in both Europe and America
The actual construction work, fnclud-
ing the purchase of large tracts of land
north of San Francisco. and the right
of way 10 the city. was attended to by
Martin himself. All his money he i'm
mediately placed in the project, SO con
hdent was he Of success.
The other investors contributed large
sums. but ali of these. with Martins
entire fortune, about 500, 600 could no.
where near meet the heavy demands of
this enormous work, and the entire5l
success was dependent upon Baron
Emile de Granger. one of frances
wcalthiest and most daring financiers,
whom Martin had early interested in
the scheme and TO whom he looked for
i. 10 \