Martha Lydia Poland was born in
Morrisville, Vermont, May 12, 1849. Her father, Col. Luther Poland, one of three brothers distinguished for public service and ability, was the son of Deacon Luther Poland, a
Vermont pioneer. Her uncle,
Luke P. Poland, was a
United States Senator and
Member of Congress for a number of years, and for nearly a quarter of a century was Chief Justice of the
Vermont Supreme Court. The family was among the original and uncompromising abolitionists. Her mother, whose maiden name was Clara M. Bennett, was of
New England stock, her ancestors having been among the first settlers of
Vermont. Her parents moved to
Viroqua, Wisconsin in 1854 when she was five years old, where she was reared. Her school-life did not commence until she was twelve years of age, and was completed just after her twentieth birthday. During that time, she taught several country and city schools, and showed a marked talent and scholarship. Her essays were characterized by literary ability. In 1867, the family returned to Madison, where Martha completed her education in the
University of Wisconsin. ==Career==