My Genealogy Hound

John W. Martin. The life record of him whose name appears above has been one of more than usual interest and his career has been of such benefit and influence to the people, not only of Montgomery County, but throughout the State, that a sketch of his life will be of more than passing interest. He was born in this county on April 28, 1850, to Thomas L. and Kachel (Cooper) Martin, who are supposed to have been born in Wayne County, Tenn., the father’s death occurring in this county in 1876, when about fifty years of age. His widow still survives him and is a resident of this county. They were married in Tennessee, and in the winter of 1849 came to Arkansas, locating on a farm in what is now Mountain Township. As a tiller of the soil he was very successful, and as a merchant he was one of the first in the county. He served in the Fourth Arkansas Cavalry, United States Army, during the Rebellion and was on active service the greater part of three years. He was taken prisoner at his mill on Blakeley Creek, and was kept in captivity at Camden, for about one month, during which time he suffered untold hardships. Soon after the war he was elected county sheriff, a position he held three years, was justice of the peace quite a number of years, and at his death was buried with Masonic honors. His wife, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, bore him ten children, the subject of this sketch being the third of the family. He spent his school days at Cedar Glades, but the war interrupted his studies in a great measure, and after the war in 1871, he turned his attention to farming, a calling he followed exclusively until 1882, when he opened up a mill on a small scale. John W. Freeman was a joint owner with him in this mill, which was a saw-mill, but at the end of three years Mr. Martin became sole proprietor and is now the owner of a good grist-mill and cotton-gin. His plant is one of the best in the county and his farm, which comprises 213 acres, is valuable land. He is now building a handsome residence, and everything about his place shows that a man of thrift, energy and intelligence is at the helm. In 1878 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and served by re-election three terms of two years each. He was married in 1871 to Miss Nancy Thornton, who died in 1878, leaving him with three children to care for, two of whom are living: Boss W. and Martha L. James died when about seven years of age. In 1879 Miss Sarah J. Brown, daughter of William Brown, of this county, became Mr. Martin’s second wife, their union resulting in the birth of two children: Laura Elizabeth and Dora Alice. Mr. Martin is a member of Henderson Lodge No. 147, of the A. F. & A. M., and politically is a Republican. He at all times supports laudable enterprises, and is one of the leading men of the county. He believes in a fair election and a fair count whether the candidate is a Republican or Democrat, and although not a member of any church he is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises. His motto at all times is “Honesty is the best policy,” and he lives up to this in the fullest sense of the term.