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Biographies
Martin R. Walbridge
Martin R. Walbridge, deceased. This gentleman was for twenty
years one of the esteemed citizens of Wyoming Precinct, and one of the
progressive and prosperous farmers who had grown up with the country. He was
born in Vermont, on the 27th of April, 1826, and was the son of John and Polly
(Reynolds) Walbridge; while yet a child our subject was left motherless. Shortly
after this event the father left Vermont and emigrated to LaPorte County, Indiana,
where he resided for the remainder of his life, which, however, was not of long
duration. Thus in early youth our subject had to face the world an
orphan.
Remembering the innumerable difficulties consequent upon the
above-mentioned condition, the success that afterward became his reflects to
greatest credit upon our subject. He began the struggle for existence not only
orphaned but poor, and was compelled to work hard for his living. He did not,
however, neglect schooling, which happily it was within his power, as it is
within the power of every American child, to obtain in the usual institution.
When about eighteen years of age he sold all his earthly possessions in order
that he might start West. He first purchased a good cow, and then started for
Wisconsin, where he located in Iowa County, not far from Madison, at which place
he had a brother, who had gone there some time previously, and was engaged in
farming and was doing well.
After a few months our subject returned to LaPorte County,
Indiana, and there entered into his first matrimonial alliance. This deeply
interesting event occurred upon the 17th of February, 1853, the lady being Sarah
A. Thurber. She was born in LaPorte County, and there also brought up and
educated. The day of her nativity was the 31st of August, 1834. She came of good
family, and her home training was such as to make her a true help to her
husband. She was a lady of great personal worth, prepossessing and of splendid
disposition. Of this union five children were born; of these two are now
deceased, viz: Ida M. and Ross W. Those still living bear the following names:
Jessie, who is married to Montgomery Robb, of Wyoming Precinct; Charles P., who
is living in New Mexico, was married, in September, 1883, to Miss Louisa Yard,
of Princeton, Ill.; Carrie A., who is living in South Bend, Indiana., where she is a
prominent and well-established teacher of music, and is a graduate from Central
Music Hall Conservatory, Chicago, Ill. On the 20th of June, 1874, Mrs. Walbridge
died at the old homestead in Wyoming Precinct.
The second marriage of our subject was celebrated in Wyoming
Precinct, April 27, 1876, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Ellen Cherry, nee
Jones, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 21, 1837. She is the daughter
of Filander H. and Lydia A. (Jewett) Jones, who were natives of Vermont, where
they were brought up and educated.
They were married at Detroit, Michigan, and Mr. Jones here
entered the profession of teaching, having been thus engaged in early manhood.
He continued thus employed in Michigan for many years, and later went to
Indiana. He is now seventy-five years of age, is retired from active work, and
makes his home in Weir City, Kansas. His wife is seventy-one years of age, and is
still the light and brightness of their home. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of
the Methodist Church, and he has been a stanch Republican in political affairs
for more than a quarter of a century.
The wife of our subject was the first of the children born to
her parents. She was educated in Indiana, and until her marriage with Mr. Cherry
made her home with her parents. This important event occurred Sept. 11, 1858,
the name of her husband being R. W. Cherry. This gentleman was born in Marion
County, Ohio, April 19, 1835. He had been carefully trained by his parents and
well educated, and was engaged subsequently in mercantile pursuits. For two
years he served gallantly as a soldier in the late Rebellion, and was finally
honorably discharged, owing to disability. He served in Company I, 29th Indiana
Infantry. His death occurred in Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana, Nov. 20, 1872. He
was a good, honorable and intelligent man and an esteemed
citizen.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cherry were born four children, two of whom,
Adelbert and Minnie, are now deceased. The living children are: May L., who is a
successful teacher in the public schools of Cass County, and a member of the
Otoe County Teachers' Association; Nellie D. is happily married to C. M. Fenno,
a successful farmer in Thomas County, Kansas; they have two little ones, named
Ellen M. and John R.
The subject of this sketch attained to the advanced age of
sixty-two years before he passed to his place with the silent majority. He died
deeply regretted by all who knew him, at his home in Wyoming Precinct, on the
10th of May, 1888, where he had lived since the year 1867. In his politics he
was a sound Republican, and was at all times a truly loyal and upright citizen.
Mrs. Walbridge is a devout member of the Baptist Church, and attends with the
congregation meeting at Nebraska City. With her two sons. Frank B. and Eugene M.
Walbridge, she resides upon the farm which has so long been her home; it
comprises 160 acres of fine agricultural land, and is situated on section 15 of
the above mentioned precinct.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Otoe
and Cass Counties,
Nebraska, Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1889, pages 436-437.
Submitted by: Bonnie Magnetti
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