MARTIN WALSH Martin Walsh, a leading merchant and Postmaster of Spring Lake, Ottawa County, is a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in Galoway County, Ireland, November 9, 1831, and is a son of Patrick and Winnefred Walsh, who were also natives of the same land. They were farming people, and in the usual manner of farming lads our subject passed his early boyhood and youth, the private schools afforded him his educational privileges. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a tanner and served a four year term, after which he followed that business during the remainder of his residence in the land of his birth. Bidding good-bye to home and friends he sailed for the New World in 1854, landing in New York City, and going thence to Oneida County, N.Y. where he remained for two years. In 1856, we find him in Chicago, and in the fall of the same year he came to Spring Lake, where he remained until the breaking out of the late war. On the 4th of October, 1861, Mr. Walsh was made a Commissary of the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry and assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, serving as such until August 8, 1863, when he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. On the 14th of March, 1865, he was commissioned First Lieutenant and Quartermaster, thus serving until mustered out on the 18th of July following. He was always found at his post of duty, and his adopted land found in him an able defender. When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Walsh returned to Spring Lake, cleared a farm and began fruit-raising, which he has since successfully followed. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land, of which forty acres are in fruit, mainly grapes and berries, which he cultivates extensively. He has shipped as high as eighteen hundred cases of berries to Milwaukee in one season, and this branch of his business has proved a profitable one. In 1867, he built a store in Spring Lake, where he carried on merchandising for twelve years. He was then burned out, but with characteristic energy he rebuilt, and his general merchandise store is now one of the leading establishments of the kind in Spring Lake. He carries a large and fine stock of goods and has built up an excellent trade, so that he is now doing a flourishing business. Turning from the public to the private life of Mr. Walsh, we note that in 1858 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lee, of Spring Lake, a native of Ireland and a daughter of John Lee. She died October 11, 1887, leaving five children, as follows: Winnefred, wife of D. O. Watson, of Spring Lake; John, Joseph, Elizabeth, and William. In January, 1889, Mr. Walsh was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Donnell, of Muskegon. Their union has been blessed by two children, Dion and Edward. Our subject exercised his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party, of which he is a warm advocate. He served as President of the School Board of Spring Lake for several years and in 1893 was appointed by President Cleveland to the office of Postmaster, which position he which he is now acceptably and faithfully filling. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of Perking Post No. 279, G. A. R. He is a public spirited and progressive man and has the best interests of his adopted city at heart. He gives his support to all worthy public enterprises and does all in his power to advance the general welfare. He is always faithful to every trust, and whether in business, official or social life, he is ever an honorable upright man, worthy the high esteem in which he is held.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Biographies