Heritage \ Writings \

Martin Heath (1843-1939)
Next to last veteran of Civil War dies.

Contributed by Alan Flood. (Apr. 2005)

Bay City Times – Sunday, November 19, 1939 Civil War Vet, Aged 96, Dies One Left Here as Martin Heath Passes. ------------ Martin Heath, survivor of the battle of Gettysburg and Bay City’s next-to-last Civil War veteran died at him home at 1606 North Grant Street at 6:30 p. m. Saturday. He was 96 years old. Mr. Heath who had lived in Bay City since shortly after the close of the Civil War, died suddenly. Thomas E. Webster, former judge of probate, of 900 Fifth avenue is the only remaining member of the Grand Army of the Republic here. A veteran of many battles, Heath was present at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. In addition to Gettysburg, Heath participated in the battles at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Hanover, and the siege of Yorktown. His only wound an injury to his left forearm, came during a campaign in Virginia. On Aug. 6, 1863, when he was about 20 years old, Mr. Heath enlisted in Co. D., 16th Michigan Infantry. He was discharged from the Union Army July 8, 1865, and shortly after came to Bay City. Mr. Heath was born near Port Huron on Sept. 15, 1813. Funeral services will be held at Blanchard’s Funeral home at 8:30 a. m. Tuesday and at St. Joseph’s church at 9 o’clock. Burial will be in St. Patricks cemetery. Survivors include his widow, Carolyn; two daughters, Mrs. Luvella Weiss and Mrs. Margaret Archambeau both of Bay City; and two sons, Robert of Chicago, and Andrew of Bay City.