Martin V. DeGarmo: The community was shocked when announcement of the death of this upright man and neighbor was made last Thursday morning, he having passed away the evening previous, after a few days of painful illness from spinal meningitis. A year since he suffered in consequence of a fall and shock while on duty at the electric plant and to this measure at least, is attributed to the real cause of his late affliction and death. Martin DeGarmo was a man of fine character and stability, a native of Ohio, born in 1847, coming to this community, when thirteen years old. Here he has since lived, rearing a good family of seven sons & daughters. With his wife of his choice he resided many years on Asbury Ridge, moving to Viroqua, the wife & mother passed away two years since, of the children -

Vernon County, Wisconsin - County History

Martin V. DeGarmo is the owner of a well improved farm of forty acres in section 26, town of Viroqua, having made the place his residence since 1870 and being one of the popular citizens of that part of the country. He was born in Perry County, Ohio on August 15, 1847, and his parents died when he was but two years old, so that he has slight data concerning the family history, though he knows that he was descended from staunch French ancestry. After the death of his parents he was reared in the home of his paternal grandparents (grandmother), with whom he remained in Ohio until he was thirteen years of age, having in the meanwhile attended the common schools.

At the age noted (13), in the autumn of 1860 he came to Wisconsin, locating in the Village of Viroqua, Wisconsin Richland County, where he was identified with the farming industry until 1870, when he took up residence on his present farm, which was covered with heavy timber at the time he purchased the property. Energy, close application and good management have wrought a striking metamorphosis and the farm is now under effective cultivation, improved with good buildings and renders satisfactory returns for the labors expended. In political affairs he is found arrayed as a supporter of the principles of the Republican Church. In 1865 he was solemnized in marriage to Miss Susan E. Clauson, daughter of Clark Clauson who was an early settler in Vernon County, where both he and his wife died. Mrs. DeGarmo having been born in Rock County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. DeGarmo have seven children, all of whom were born in Vernon County.

Martin may have been enumerated living with a Latta family during the 1860 Census in Perry County, Ohio which would have been just prior to his moving with Margaret to Vernon County, Wisconsin.