Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-20
MARTIN DUNHAM,
PIONEER, is DEAD
One of Earliest Settlers in Omaha
Dies of Old Age After
Eventful Life.
LEADER IN THE EARLY DAYS

Martin Durham, 70 years old |
pioneer Omaha business man and one
who helped TO establish Omaha, died
yesterday at his home, SIS South
Thirty-third street. Ailments in
oIdent to old age we're responsible
for his death, according to relatives
who were at the bedside when the
end came.
Mr.. Durham was born in Clarke
Mercer county, Pa, on November TO-
1896. When he was / 8 years old he
came 10 Jackson county. Ia, with
his family, and spent the next Few
years on a farm.
In $50 he returned to the settle
ment known as Omaha, and estab-
lished a harness and saddle making
plant on the spot where the Paxton
hotel now stands.
In the same year he married Miss
Sara ]. winship, who still survives
him.
battle with Indians.
About this time. Mr.. Durham, as sec
ond lieutenant Of the First Nebraska
Volunteer militia. was being Kept busy
with stray companies OF confederate
soldiers who were dangerously near, hav-
ing captured 81. Joseph. Later the In
dams made things hot and along In "a,
when the country was shocked by tho
Plum creek massacre, Durham took his
Company to Fort Kearney 10 battle the
hostile tribes.
Mr.. Durham was an intimate Of the
late Ulysses s. Grant having known him
at Galena, ILL.,. where the famous general
was known as cap" Mexican war
veteran, but then clerk in a general
store.
Once Mr.. Durham went to Julesburg
Colo. to buy hides from the famous Jules
T.. Coffee. The town was ono OF the
most lawless OF all the frontier settle
ments and Mr.. Dunham's life was con-
stantly endangered by stray bullets. He
was elected mayor Of this place. but re-
signed as soon as he found Il out be-
cause he didn't intend to stay very long.
Power in Politics.
The deceased early peEan' TO take an
interest In the political life of the city
and state. and was a power for many
years. lie was q member OF the terri
torial legislature which met in January
1857, and adopted the Fourteenth and M
teenth amendments to the constitution
SO RS 20 admit Nebraska a. a state
March I. 1861 He was elected again to
the legislature In 1s74.. having served In
the special session OF 81. f
He also served in, one regular and enc
special session In 1873. About, this time
he was made a member OF the state ARri-
cultural board and was active In The or
ganization OF tho first board, OF managers
ofzthat body. From 1880 to 1888 he was
- member az the city council OF Omaha.
and was chairman OF the Fire ana Police
boapa NheHsihe slocumb law was put into
effsqfs " als6'preeided over the auarteF.
ceptsp6sai odiehfatlo1, ct the msuneeti
Of W FIRST iesiaiatofe. hs'e. IN LlneOrr
IN 90 =.
Active Among Pioneers.
Ia the Dougiss County PIoneers' asso.
citation Mr. Durham was q prime mover
and many times had declined the pnesl.
dency OF that organization. He was alse
active in the formation Of the state Pho.
neefs'' association.
For over forty-three years he had beer
. Macon. and an Odd Fellow for thre.
years longer. In 1873 he was grand mas
ter OF the state Masonic order and wal
also master OF his own lodge. Capitol No
B. Of Omaha. On next Monday members
Of Capitol lodge were 10 have presented
him with the Jordan medal as the oldes
member Of the order in Omaha.
Three children, all married. and hi
widow survive. The children are Charles
A.. Daniel H. OF the Nebraska Telephon,
company. anc Mrs, Elizabeth Grigg. wifi
of Captain L. L. Grfee. y. s. A., sta
toned at 81. Augustine. ria
No arraneements viii he made for tn
funeral until Mrs. Grigg has been com
inundated with.