MARTIN MARBACH
MRS. MARTIN MARBACH
In 1884, on attaining his majority, Mr. Marbach determined to try his fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York city. From the eastern metropolis he made his way westward to Missouri and for four years worked as a farm hand in Lafayette county, that state. The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in Walla Walla county, Washington, and here he secured employment, working for wages for a period of six years or until 1894. In that year, having carefully saved his earnings, he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of his present home farm. From that period forward he prospered and kept adding to his holdings by additional purchase from time to time until he now owns two sections of wheat land and has won an enviable reputation as one of the substantial and enterprising agriculturists of the county. Close application and indefatigable energy have characterized him at all times, and the prosperity which he now enjoys is the merited reward of his intelligently directed activity.
On the 23d of October, 1894, Mr. Marbach was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie M. Rondema, of Walla Walla, by whom he has eight children, namely: Theodore, Margaret, Lizzie, Ludwine, Martin, Gertrude, Philip and George. Mrs. Marbach is a daughter of Andrew and Anna (Brower) Rondema, who were born, reared and married in Amsterdam, Holland, and came to America in 1870, locating first in Chicago, where Mr. Rondema engaged in business as a contractor and builder. In 1887 he came to Walla Walla and while residing in this state turned his attention to farming. Here he died in June, 1889, and his wife passed away in 1906. Of their ten children only two are now living, these being Mrs. Marbach and Theodore, a resident of Walla Walla. They were members of the Catholic church.
Mr. Marbach exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party, believing firmly in its principles. The religious faith of his family is that of the Catholic church and they attend church in Walla Walla. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has won a most creditable measure of success.