Person Record

Metadata

Name

Martin, Henry

Born

01/18/1840

Birthplace

Franklin Falls,

Places of residence

Paul Smiths, NY
St. Regis Lakes

Notes

Born: January 18, 1840 at Franklin Falls, the son of Hugh Martin and Sally Goodell (also called Sarah)

Died: October 30, 1915

Married: Sarah E. ? - who was born in Woodstock, Vermont and came to Brighton at the age of 6. She died June 24, 1914 aged 72 years, at her death survived by her husband, Samuel, Hugh and Carrie

Children: Samuel P. Martin; Hugh Martin b. 1868; Carrie Luella Martin Dyer; Cleora E. Martin; baby Martin; and Leah Martin Hickok

Chiefly known for:

Lake Placid News, November 1, 1940

25 YEARS AGO Henry Martin Dead

Henry Martin, famous Adirondack guide and riverman, known throughout the length and breadth of this great North woods as an expert woods craftsman, and who acted for more than a quarter of a century as guide and caretaker for the property of the Vanderbilt family, died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Herbert Dyer, in the town of Brighton. Mr. Martin had been in ill health for a long time. He was 76 years of age and until the last few years had been active as superintendent of the Frederick W. Vanderbilt camp on Upper St. Regis Lake.

Plattsburgh Daily Press, November 4, 1915

FAMOUS GUIDE DEAD Henry Martin Well Known as Adirondack Riverman WAS GUIDE FOR "TEDDY" ROOSEVELT

ONCE WENT TO NEW YORK TO RIDE A LOG ACROSS EAST RIVER BECAUSE OF WAGER MADE BY ADMIRER

Henry Martin, for more than a quarter of a century a guide and a caretaker upon the propierty of the Vanderbilt family, and whom a New York sportsman once backed to ride a log across East River, New York city, died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Herbert Dyer, in the town of Brighton after an extended illness, Mr. Martin was nearly seventy-six years of age. Until the last few years, however, he had been active as superintendent the Japanese camp of Frederick W. Vanderibilt on the Upper St. Regis Lake. He was one of the strongest men of the many able men of the woods, but his decline was noted following the death of his daughter, Leah Martin Hickok, followed by his wife about two years ago.

Henry Martin was born at Franklin Falls the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Martin. His entire life was spent in the woods. In early years he was one of the best rivermen in the Adirondack country. He knew every eddy and undercurrent of the streams which floated logs in the drive and here may have been men on the river who could equal him, but none could excel him.

His fame as a riverman attracted the attention of a New York sportsman who was of a betting disposition. At a gathering in the Union League Club one evening, the sportsman said that he knew an Adirondack guide who could ride a log across East River.

"I'll bet you a thousand dollars, there isn't an Adirondack or any other guide who can ride a log across East River" declared a member of the party.

"I'll take you," replied the friend of Henry Martin, and the wager was posted.

Henry was communicated with and accepted the challenge. He picked out a log that suited him and took it to New York with him. When the time came for the exhibition, the men who thought Henry could not do the trick, agreed that he could and the matter was fixed up to the satisfaction of everybody.

Henry Martin was perhaps the first guide that Theodore Roosevelt ever had. When the former president was a boy he went to the Adirondacks and with a tutor went into camp. Henry Martin was the guide. It is said that Roosevelt, the boy, spent more time and had better fun with the guide than he did with the tutor.

Martin's woodcraft got him the position as a chief guide with Hamilton McK. Trombley, Mrs. Trombly was a Vanderbilt. They built a camp on Pine Point on the Upper St. Regis Lake and occupied it for many years with Mr. Martin as superintendent of the property. Later Frederick W. Vanderbilt purchased the camp of Mr. Trombley and rebuilt it in its present Japanese type of architecture. Mr. Martin remained at the camp as superintendent until the property was purchased by Mr. Pratt the present owner.

The funeral took place from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Dyer Monday. Interment was made in the cemetery of St. John in the Wilderness, Rev. Mr. Richardson officiating. The bearers were two brothers, Douglas and Fred Martin, two sons, Samuel and Hugh Martin, a nephew, Phelps Smith, and a son in law, Herbert Dyer.

Henry Martin was a brother of the late Mrs. Paul Smith and the late C. E. Martin of this city.