My Genealogy Hound

M. D. Martin is a member of the general mercantile firm of Martin, Black & Co., of Indian Bay, Ark., the business being established on February 1, 1877, the average value of the stock being about $10,000, and their annual sales amounting from $40,000 to $80,000. In connection with their dry-goods establishment they own and operate a good steam cotton-gin and saw-mill. Mr. Martin was born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1840, and was a son of Joseph J. and Jane (Thurmond) Martin, who were born in South Carolina and Atlanta, Ga., in 1811 and 1820, respectively. They were married in the mother’s native birthplace, but in the year 1852 removed to Tilton, at which place the mother’s death occurred in 1867, and the father’s in 1886. He was an extensive planter, and a prominent man, and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather, William G. Martin, was born in Virginia, and died in Atlanta, Ga., but a number of the years of his life were spent in Abbeville District, S. C. He was colonel of a regiment of militia during the War of 1812, but did not see much service. His father was a Virginian, the first one of the family born in America, as his father was a native-born English man. M. D. Martin, our immediate biographical subject, is the eldest of a family of eleven children, eight now living, and his early education was acquired in the high school of Atlanta, Ga., and in the schools of Dalton. He next studied under a private tutor, and afterward read law with Judge John G. Stewart, and was admitted to the bar just at the breaking out of the late Civil War. He immediately joined the Second Georgia Battalion, and served in the Army of Virginia, until after the battle of Gettysburg, at which time he was captured. From that time until April, 1864, he was kept a prisoner at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout, and was then paroled. After spending a short time in New York City he came to Memphis, and was engaged in the timber business in that city until 1869. Since that time he has resided in Indian Bay, and after following the same business here for a few years he began keeping books, and a year later in connection with this work engaged in farming. From 1877 to 1882, he was engaged in merchandising for himself, but at the latter date he formed a partnership with Maj. S. L. Black, who sold his interest to his son, John L. Black and J. W. Martin, a brother of our subject and they now constitute the present firm. In 1872 M. D. Martin was married to Sarah E., a daughter of William Badman, formerly of Indiana, who died in Monroe County, Ark. Mrs. Martin was born in Indiana, and she and Mr. Martin have become the parents of six children, two sons and one daughter living. By push and energy Mr. Martin has become a well-to-do man, and his farm of 332 acres, near Indian Bay, is the result of his own industry. He is a Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for Greeley in 1868, and he belongs to Indian Bay Lodge No. 256, A. F. & A. M., and has filled nearly all the chairs of this order. He also belongs to Advance Lodge No. 2491, K. of H., at Indian Bay, and the American Legion of Honor, Warsaw Lodge, at Indian Bay. He and wife are Methodists.