A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas. Page: 977
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BELL AND COB YELL COUNTIES.
William W., Bragg, Austin, Wash, Rena, Irene
and Gracie.
The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
OHN ALFRED MARTIN.-One of the
prominent and much-esteemed citizens of
Falls county, is John A. Martin, whose
name stands at the head of this memoir. He is
a native of South Carolina, and was born in
Charleston, May 31, 1846, being the eldest son
and fifth child of John B. and Catharine M.
(Jones) Martin. The elder Martin was a na-
tive of St. Paul parish, same State, and was the
son of Jacob Martin.
He died at his home in Charleston, South
Carolina, November 10, 1878, and his wife died
at Bamberg, Barnwell district, South Carolina,
November 8, 1864.
Mr. Martin was reared at home receiving his
preliminary education in the common schools.
Later he attended the Charleston College, where
he was graduated in 1869, with the first honors.
At the age of eighteen years-the spring of
1864-he espoused the cause of his native State,
and joined the Pedee light battery, which
was then in the Confederate service .on the
coast of South Carolina. He served in this
battery until the surrender at Greensboro,
North Carolina. After the war he returned
and completed his school studies as above stated.
In September, 1869, he started for Texas, lo-
cating at Chapel Hill, where lived an old army
friend. Subsequently, he went to Austin county
and engaged in teaching school at Nelsonville,
until the spring of 1870, when he removed to
Waco, and engaged as assistant engineer on the
Waco Tap railroad, now a part of the Houston
& Texas Central system. While thus engaged
he located the line from Marlin to Waco, and
then was appointed engineer of construction.
This position he held until 1871, when the Tap
passed into the control of the Texas Central.
He then tool up his residence at Marlin, and
62later was made Deputy Surveyor for Falls county,
serving four years. While thus employed, he
formed the acquaintance of Judge L. W. Good-
rich, and under his able tuition began the study
of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, by
Judge Banton, and at once began the practice
of his chosen profession, which he has since
followed with eminent success.
He took a deep and active interest in politi-
cal affairs, and was brought out by the Demo-
cratic party and elected to represent the Twenty-
Second Senatorial district (embracing the coun-
ties of Falls and McLennan) in the Eighteenth
Legislature. He served his constituents and
the State with marked ability, but declined a
re-election, preferring to devote himself to the
practice of his profession.
Mr. Martin was united in marriage at Marlin,
Texas, May 5, 1874, to Miss Alla Slater, a na-
tive of Alabama, and a daughter of the late
James Slater, of Choctaw county, Alabama.
Six children have blessed this union: Harry B.,
Herbert, Motte, Alfred, Jamie and Ida. Mrs.
Martin is a devout Christian, and a member of
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Martin is a
member of the Masonic order, Marlin Lodge,
No. 152; has passed through all the chairs, and
is at present W. M.
Mr. Martin has been judicious in financial
matters and has prospered. He is president of
the Marlin Oil Company, and a director in
the First National Bank of Marlin. He was
the founder of the Falls County. Fair Associa-
tion, and has taken continued interest in that
institution.
Mr. Martin is thorough and varied in his
accomplishments. He has been a close student,
which has enabled him to master every princi-
ple of law, and the philosophy of legal science.
With his keen analytical mind, he is quick to
discover the essential features of a cause, and
vigorous and judicious in pursuing them. His
cases are prepared with great care, informing
himself thoroughly as to the merits and de-
merits. of both sides, which enables him fully
to anticipate points that may be made by his9:7
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A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas., book, 1893; Chicago, Illinois. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth821501/m1/1157/: accessed November 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lena Armstrong Public Library.