JM
U.S. Army · United States 
Joseph Martin
1908
Joseph W. Martin served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Superintendent Joseph Martin died after falling down a flight of stairs in the Rahway Reformatory's superintendent's quarters on November 1st, 1908.
He was attempting to free a gas valve which had been stuck in the on position for several days and needed to be cleaned. He lost his footing while working on the valve and fell down a flight of stairs. His leg suffered two fractures as a result of the fall and the injury caused his health to quickly deteriorate until his death on November 13th, 1908.
Superintendent Martin was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War and had served as the superintendent of the Rahway Reformatory for seven years. He was survived by his wife and four sons. One of his sons, who had served as assistant superintendent, was appointed to replace him as superintendent.
He was attempting to free a gas valve which had been stuck in the on position for several days and needed to be cleaned. He lost his footing while working on the valve and fell down a flight of stairs. His leg suffered two fractures as a result of the fall and the injury caused his health to quickly deteriorate until his death on November 13th, 1908.
Superintendent Martin was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War and had served as the superintendent of the Rahway Reformatory for seven years. He was survived by his wife and four sons. One of his sons, who had served as assistant superintendent, was appointed to replace him as superintendent.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four sons.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
New Jersey Department of Corrections
Superintendent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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