My Genealogy Hound

Martin Golden, New Harmony. The venerable white haired gentleman whose name introduces this personal review, represents that type of mankind whom we all stop by the wayside to observe and admire. Mr. Golden is an actor of the old school, who for years shed his light on the American stage, furnishing instructive amusement to hundreds of delighted audiences. When he was in the prime of manly vigor his contemporaries were such men as Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett, and many others with whom he was associated, which almost causes the student to reflect on that epoch as the second Elizabethan age of the English drama. Mr. Golden knew well most of the actors of his time, and played with many of them, and he treasures many pleasant memories of the stage folk, great and near-great of his time. Our subject is a native of Ireland, born at Cork Hill, Parish of Screen, November 10, 1835. His parents were William Golden and Catharine Dunn, also natives of Ireland. Martin was one of a family of ten children, two of whom are now living: Thomas F., a druggist in New York, and Martin. The Golden family embarked for America in 1846, some of the older sons having preceded the other members several years. It seems that they were beset by one misfortune after another. The mother died during the voyage and was buried at sea. Shortly after the family reached Quebec the father was taken ill and died. After the death of his father Martin and a brother were sent to New Orleans to live with an older brother, who was a druggist there. Upon arriving at New Orleans they learned that the brother in New Orleans had died two weeks previously with yellow fever. He then went to live with a cousin there, where he remained and attended school until 1849. Then, at the age of fourteen, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment in a wholesale dry goods store. From there he went to Hamilton, Ohio, and worked for a contractor as bookkeeper and timekeeper. In 1851 he returned to New Orleans, and during the next two years two of his brothers died there from yellow fever. In 1854 he decided to leave New Orleans and went to New York, where he had a brother and sister. After reaching New York and seeking his brother and sister he met a New Orleans acquaintance, Charles Gleason, treasurer of the St. Charles theater, New Orleans. Young Golden returned to New Orleans with him and accepted the position of doorkeeper at the St. Charles theater. He was very much interested in stage life and his position gave him an opportunity to meet many actors. He got dramatic books and applied himself to study. He became acquainted with Mr. Benedict De Barr, manager of the St. Charles theater, who booked young Golden for the princely salary of six dollars per week. This was in the fall of 1855, and the company opened the season at St. Louis in “The Hunch Back” with Miss Annette Inse as leading lady. Golden was assigned to take the character of “Holdwell.” This was the beginning of his stage career and he made good from that minute, and remained with De Barr in New Orleans and St. Louis until the war broke out in 1861. He then came north and played in all the principal cities with marked success and was associated with many of the great actors of the time. He organized a traveling company, which he managed for several years. Later he took the management of Carter’s play, “The Fast Mail,” which he managed several years with great financial success. He has managed opera houses, and played entire seasons in no less than a dozen different large cities throughout the country. Mr. Golden was united in marriage, August 25, 1861, to Miss Emma Isabella Llewellyn, a native of St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Golden was a talented actress and played with her husband in the principal cities of the United States for years, until on account of her health she was obliged to give up the stage. To Mr. and Mrs. Golden were born four children: Martin T., born at Cleveland, Ohio, May 30, 1862, a leading business man of New Harmony; William E., born in New Harmony, June 9, 1865, a prominent educator of New York, and now principal of the Polytechnic Institute of that city; Grace, born in the Fontleroy House, November 14, 1867, and died November 14, 1903. She was an operatic singer of National fame. Her untimely death was universally mourned and was a severe blow to her immediate family and many friends; Frances Llewellyn, born September 7, 1877, at New Harmony. She, too, is an accomplished actress, well known on the American stage. Mr. Golden is a member of the Catholic church. He has had an active and eventful career, filled with many fond recollections and very few regrets. He is now spending the peaceful days of a ripe old age surrounded by his loved ones and enjoying the present to the fullness thereof, as well as the pleasant memories of a life well spent.