Biography:

Dr. Henry Oake Marten was born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland around 1837.  Dr. Marten was the youngest of 6 children born to Thomas Marten and the former Emma Garland.  Dr. Marten’s parents were married in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1825.  His siblings were; Emma Jane Marten, Lavinia Frances Marten, John Joseph Marten, Thomas Marten Jr. and Charles Garland Marten.

According to the 1872 Ontario Medical Register, Dr. Marten was licensed by the Medical Board in 1864 and the same publication reflects that he joined the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons on the 11th of June, 1866.  In the 1865 Mitchells Toronto City Directory, Dr. Marten was residing with Dr. Lizars at 55 Church Street in Toronto.  Dr. Marten was listed in the 1871 Lovell’s Ontario Directory at 353 Queen Street West in Toronto.

Dr. Marten married Eliza McKenzie on the 23rd of January, 1877 in London, Ontario.  Mrs. Marten was born in London, Ontario on the 25th of September, 1853.  She was the youngest of 5 children born to Dr. Andrew McKenzie and the former Isabella Shore.  Her father was a physician in London and her siblings were; Margaret, Dora, Edward and Isabella.  At the time of their marriage Dr. Marten was residing and practicing medicine in Essex County.

Dr. and Mrs. Marten had 4 children, all born in Leamington.  Those children were; Emma Isabelle Marten was born on the 2nd of December, 1877, Thomas Henry Marten was born on the 11th of February, 1880, Charles McKenzie Marten was born on the 15th of February, 1883 and Harry Edward Marten was born on the 15th of April, 1884.  Dr. Marten’s name appears on birth and death records in Wheatley and Romney Twp (Chatham-Kent) during the time that Dr. Marten resided in Leamington.  Leamington is approximately 12 km from Wheatley.

In the 1891 Toronto City Directory, Dr. Marten’s home address is recorded as 196 Dundas Street and in the 1892 and 1893 Dr. Marten’s medical office was located at 1171 Dufferin Avenue (in Toronto).

Dr. Marten died on the 25th of February, 1901 in Toronto.  Mrs. Marten died a few days later on the 6th of March, 1901.  They both died of pneumonia. At the time of their deaths, they resided at 629 Lansdowne Avenue (Toronto).  Dr. and Mrs. Marten were buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

*Dr. Marten’s son Charles McKenzie Marten was killed in action during WWI on the 10th of August,1918.  Charles was buried at the Bouchoir New British Cemetery in France.

**Dr. Marten’s youngest son, Harry Edward Marten served with the United States Army in WWI and in WWII.