Martin Vandervort was born on 07 Apr 1835 in Blenheim, Schoharie Co, NY, the third of seven children born to the union of Peter Vandervort and Sarah "Sally" Monfort Moon.

On 14 Mar 1855 in Barbourville, Delaware Co, NY he was married by Squire Axtell to Miss Nancy Brewer.

Martin and Nancy were blessed with eight children; Charles H. (1855-1863), Earle D. (1857-1862), John A. (1860-1869), Velma (1862-1863), Mary Elizabeth (1864-1937), Helen (1866-1867), Ida Frances (1868-1910) and Carrie M. (1870- ).

On 11 Feb 1864, Martin answered the call of his country to fight to preserve the Union and enlisted in the Civil War as a Private in Co B, 89th NYS Volunteer Infantry at Walton, Delaware Co, NY. He was mustered in on 29 Feb 1864.

The regiment was present at the siege of Fort Wagner and the following operations in Charleston Harbor and returned to Virginia early in 1864. A large number of the men reenlisted and the veteran regiment became a part of the l0th corps, which was present during May, 1864, at Swift Creek, Proctor's Creek, Drewry's bluff and Bermuda Hundred. At the end of that month the 89th was assigned to the 1st brigade, 2nd division, 18th corps and served in that corps until December.

Martin was promoted to Corporal on 01 May 1865. The 89th lost heavily in the opening assault on Petersburg, where Lieutenant Colonel England was killed, and also lost 139 were killed, wounded and missing at Fair Oaks in October. In December, the command was transferred to the 2nd division, 24th corps, with which it remained until the end of the war, sharing in the final assault on Petersburg and the pursuit of Lee's army to Appomattox. Major Tremain was mortally wounded April 2, 1865, in the assault on Petersburg. He was mustered out at Richmond on Aug. 3, 1865, with his unit, having lost during its term of service, 107 by death from wounds and 159 from other causes.

After the war, Martin returned home to his family, when the last three of the seven children were born.

His wife Nancy died on 04 Jun 1870 in Sidney, Delaware Co, NY at the young age of thirty-five years old.

Martin remarried on 29 Sep 1870 to Miss Mary Emma Burgdorf at Cold Spring Brook, Delaware Co, NY by the Rev. J. N. Adams of Deposit, Broome Co, NY. In 1875 Martin and Emma were enumerated in the Kansas State Census in Ashland, Riley Co, KS, where Martin was engaged in farming. Their family was made up of Martin's daughters Mary Elizabeth and Ida from his first wife, and three sons and a daughter from his second marriage to Emma; James F. (1871- ), Flora (1874-1951), LaVerne C. (1877- ) and Maurice D. (1881-1950). Unfortunately only Mary Elizabeth, Ida Frances, Flora and Maurice D. lived beyond childhood.

In the 1880 Federal Census Martin and Emma are enumerated in Masonville, Delaware Co, NY, where Martin was employed as a tannery laborer. Their family now consisted of Mary, Ida, Flora and a son LaVern born in 1877 born in Masonville.

*NOTE: His Discharge says he was born in Sidney, Delaware Co, NY, but a statement of information filled out in his hand states that is in error and his place of birth was Blenheim, Schoharie Co, NY.