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| Pg. 184, cont. Pg. 187 John G. Martz, Jr., president of the Big Rapids Manufacturing Company, was born at Newville, Adams Co., Ind., June 26, 1848. His father was a native of Baden, Germany, and his mother, Mary (Sauer) Martz, was born in Switzerland. They accompanied their parents from the "fatherland" to America and settled with a German colony in Adams County, at a date so early that the primeval forests, with their concomitants of wild game, were in their original state. Mr. Martz is one of a family of eleven children, ten of whom yet survive; the brothers and sisters are Annie, Benjamin, David, Christian, Mary, Daniel, Katie E., Susan and Sarah. Edward G. is deceased. John G. is second child and eldest son. When about three years of age his father removed with his family to Fairfield Center, Dekalb, Co., Ind., and purchased a farm containing about 600 acres of land, in an uncultivated state, and in heavy timber. It has been converted into one of the finest places in that section of country. Mr. Martz obtained his elementary education at the common schools of DeKalb County, and at the age of 14 was sent for a year of study to the graded school of Fort Wayne. After a year at home he went back to Fort Wayne and became a clerk in a grocery and provision store, where he remained a twelve-month and returned to the farm. In 1870 he came to Big Rapids and entered the establishment of Thos. D. Stimson as clerk, and the following summer assisted his borther-in-law, F. E. Ahrens, (since deceased) in erecting the Big Rapids Furniture building. In 1872 a stock company was organized, under the title and style of the Big Rapids Furniture Manufacturing Company, which purchased the factory. The same year Mr. Martz bought a lot on Michigan Avenue and aided in putting up a building which was rented to A. Levi. The latter opened a gentleman's furnishing store, and three days later the structure was blown down by the wind, entailing a loss of $1,000. It was immediately reconstructed and has since been occupied by its primal leasee, Mr. Levi. In 1873 Mr. Martz commenced business as a retail furniture dealer on Michigan Avenue, where he operated until the fall of 1874, when he bought his present place of business. At the same time he formed a co-partnership with H. M. Averill and added upholstering. Soon after he became sole owner by purchase and later sold his entire stock. He made a considerable investment in the stock of the Big Rapids Furniture Manufacturing Company, and in the spring of 1876 opened a baker, which is the leading institution of the kind in the city. In 1880, Mr. Martz became a Director of the Furniture Company, was elected Vice President in 1882, and in the spring of 1882 was chosen to his present position as chief official. He is also a Director of the Big Rapids National Bank. Prosperity has attended every business venture of Mr. Martz. The various periods of stringency in general financial affairs have affected him to some degree, but bu shrewd tack and careful management through times of peril, he has been enabled to conduct his affairs safely. He was married in Ottawa Co., Mich., May 10, 1876, to Mary Faling; she died in October, 1878, Mr. Martz was again married, at Auburn, Ind., Sept 1, 1880, to Elizabeth Mader. Their two sons are named J. W., Theodore, and John Arthur. |