Martin D. Fetherolf (1887-1951), a member of Muhlenberg College’s Class of 1914, was a lifelong educator who spent his career in secondary education, teaching at Allentown High School (1915-1926) before moving to Philadelphia and serving at Frankford High School as a faculty member and vice-principal until his death.
Born on September 15, 1887 in Wescoesville, Pennsylvania, Martin attended the Allentown Preparatory School, which was closely affiliated with Muhlenberg College, before entering the College in the fall of 1910. He studied the classics, and was vice-president of the Sophronian Literary Society, associate editor of the Ciarla, and a member of the press club, the Woodrow Wilson Club, and the dramatic association. Martin was also an athlete, involved in football, basketball, track, and baseball.
Following his graduation in 1914 with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree, Martin took a position with the Allentown High School, but his teaching was interrupted by service in the Mexican Border War in 1916-17. As a member of the Hospital Corps of the 4th Pennsylvania Infantry, he rose to the rank of sergeant.
After his service in Mexico, Sergeant Fetherolf attended Officers Training Camp at Camp Hancock, GA, in preparation for his eventual service overseas in World War I. As a second lieutenant in the Supply Company of the 110th Infantry, Martin traveled to France in 1918 and served through Armistice Day. He later chronicled his wartime experience in a memoir “written to answer questions that my children ask from time to time.”
Following the cessation of hostilities in November of 1918, Martin attended the University of Montpellier in France with other American service members. In addition to his studies abroad, Martin also continued his education in the United States, completing coursework at Lehigh University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Temple University. He continued to serve as secretary for Muhlenberg’s Class of 1914 until his death.