Martin B. Luther

Martin B. Luther

Bainbridge Republican, January 30, 1879

M.B. Luther, Esq., one of our most active and prominent citizens, was born in Clarendon, Vermont, May 12, 1803.  His father who was born in the year 1755, was not only a farmer but was also engaged in tanning and the manufacture of shoes and harness, and during the revolutionary war was employed by the government as an artificer in making harness, etc.  In 1812 he moved to Unadilla and purchased a farm about 1-1/2 miles east of this village [Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., NY] where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1846, at the venerable age of 91 years.  His wife died many years previous.  Martin B. who early evinced a taste for learning, acquired a good education, and commenced school teaching before his 20th year, but his mind seemed directed in a channel for the investigation of natural laws and principles, and becoming deeply impressed with the grandeur of mathematical and geometrical sciences, studied surveying and engineering, and subsequently became distinguished as one of the most accurate surveyors in this section of the country.

 

In the year 1825 he engaged in the mercantile business at Sidney Plains, and in the year 1833 sold out his interest here and went to Sangersfield, Oneida county, where he continued in the same business for a number of years and then closed up and returned home where he was married January 24, 1849, to an estimable lady, and by whom he has had one child, a daughter.  Mr. Luther owns and occupies the old homestead where he conducts farming, not so much for profit as for experimental pleasure.

 

In April, 1825, he joined the Social Lodge of F.&A.M. in Clarendon, Vermont, where he became an active and an energetic laborer for the Craft, and his practical love for philosophy awakened in him a constant desire for the advancement of the order, wherein he perceived through its official emblems, (square and compass), a key to the higher and more exalted character in manhood, where the rules of life were shorn of sects and dogmas. He has ever been an honor to the fraternity, and was the moving spirit which led to the reorganization of the Lodge at Unadilla, and subsequently the founder of the Chapter at that place.  Never had the order a more devoted and self-sacrificing member than Martin B. Luther.

 

Of late years Mr. Luther's attention has been largely engrossed in the study of medicine and microscopic observations of the human organisms and in regard to many intricate points connected with disease. His experimental knowledge is superior to many of the first-class physicians.

 

Socially, Mr. Luther has but few equals.  He is strongly devoted to the interests of friends and often neglects his own personal affairs to aid those who may need his service or counsel.  He warmly appreciates kindness, but at the same time is exacting in the honor and integrity of mankind, and will hold no fellowship with vice or immorality. And being an admirer of free thought and opinions seeks for the unfolding of those natural sequences which determines the motives by which human actions are measurably controlled, and in his imagination does not permit his mind to become intrammeled by the errors of bigotry or superstition, and though living in advance of the larger portion of mankind, from his constant study, he nevertheless feels charitable towards them, and we cherish a hope that in some future day his object and purpose may be more fully appreciated.  In his personal appearance Mr. Luther is tall, erect and dignified, and somewhat reserved in his manners toward strangers.  In his habits he is regular and strictly temperate, using neither liquor or tobacco.  He rises early in the morning, usually at four o'clock, summer or winter, breakfasts at 6 o'clock, A.M. dines at 12 P.M. and takes his tea at 6 P.M. and is one whose examples are worthy of imitation and whose principles of honor and integrity will never die.

Obituary

Sidney Record, June 5, 1890

Mr. Martin B. Luther died at his residence near this village, Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock, june 4th, 1890.  He was 87 years of age.

Mr. Luther was born in Clarendon, Rutland County, Vermont, May 12, 1803, and therefore was quite a large boy when the war of 1812 was fought.  He moved to Unadilla sixty-one years ago, in the year 1822, and taught school.  In 1825 he entered into the mercantile business in Sidney.  In 1830 we find him in Sangerfield, Oneida County, N.Y., still engaged in the mercantile business.  In the year 1838 he returned to Unadilla, where he has ever since resided, on the farm which he had occupied.  Mr. Luther has been a life-long Freemason, and by reason of his zeal and devotion in the interests of that ancient and highly honorable order, he was held in high esteem by his brethren of that mysterious craft. 

Funeral

Sidney Record, June 12, 1890

The funeral of Mr. Martin B. Luther, was held last Saturday from his residence near this village, and the interment took place in the private cemetery opposite the residence of Norman D. Foster. The obsequies were attended by a large gathering of mourners, all of whom had long enjoyed the valued friendship of the deceased.  Mr. Luther was a man of extraordinary intellectual powers, a calm, dispassionate reasoner, and a firm advocate of free thought and free speech.  In his death our community has lost an excellent citizen and his loss is felt keenly by many who are competent to judge true merit at its real value. 
 

Compiler Note:  Martin B. Luther died June 4, 1890 (AE 87y) and was buried in Union Cemetery, Unadilla, Otsego Co., NY.  His wife, Harriet Randall (d. Oct. 1, 1915, AE 100y) and daughter, Mary Coit Luther (d. Nov. 24, 1917, AE 67y) are also buried in Union Cemetery.