Previewing Jackson Township’s “Lantern Walk”

The Hamilton Heights High School theater students will hold a “Lantern Walk” through Cicero Cemetery from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The walk will include 12 stops at the gravesites of important folks in the history of Jackson Township.

The Reporter will publish a short biography of each of the 12 individuals in our online editions from Wednesday to Saturday for three weeks, concluding April 15.

William Martz is featured in today’s edition.

“I am William Martz. I was born in Hamilton County in 1837, one of the twelve children of Isaac and Levina Martz. My father Isaac had a twin brother, Moses, and these brothers married twin sisters on the same day.  My father and Uncle Moses moved their families from Ohio to Hamilton County, and helped to plot out the town of Arcadia. As I grew to adulthood, I took up the manufacturing and construction trade with other members of my large family.  I am responsible for building several brick homes in Arcadia, and many of these still stand to this day.  These homes are called “William Martz Homes,” and the first legal subdivision in northern Hamilton County, the William Martz Addition, was named in my honor.  My final resting place is Crown Hill Cemetery on 256th Street and Scherer Avenue, where I share an extensive memorial and burial ground with the many members of the Martz Family.”

Source: Find-a-Grave.com; Arcadia Study Club. A History of Arcadia Indiana. 1972.
Interpreted by Tanner Barry