W. K. Martin

MARTIN, BOWMAN, BLUE, MILLER, GATES

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/6/2020 at 12:53:08

W. K. Martin, was born in Quebec, Lower Canada, in 1824; came to the United States when three years of age, locating in Chester County, Pa., where his father purchased a farm.

Here he resided till 1844, when he enlisted in the United States army; was first sent out to build Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, Ia., (then Iowa Territory). After this event his company went to Corpus Christi, Texas; then went clear through the Mexican campaign, when he received three flesh wounds.

After his discharge, Aug. 25, 1849, at Fort Brown, Texas, he went to Allamakee County, la. There he bought a small farm, and engaged in farming till he came to Floyd County, which was in 1876.

In 1874 he purchased a farm of eighty acres which he gave to his son, C. B. Martin, a teacher in Sioux Falls, D. T. In 1876 he bought 320 acres, where he still resides, on section 33, Union Township. He farms about 225 acres in grain; the balance is in meadow and pasture.

Mr. Martin was married in Allamakee County, Ia., in 1850, to Miss Temperance Bowman, a native of Indiana. This was the first marriage ever consummated in Allamakee County.

Mr. Martin's family consists of seven children living and two deceased: Catharine, married Madison Blue, and resides in Leon County, La.; C. B. Martin, a teacher in Sioux Falls; Mary J., married James E. Miller, a resident of Union Township; Emma, married Henry Gates, of Union Township, and died in 1881; Cassie A., single, and at home; W. H., single, and in the livery business in Sioux Falls; T. B. and J. F., single, and at home; Carolina, died at the age of ten, in Union Township.

Mr. Martin and his wife have been members of the United Brethren church for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Martin certainly has had an eventful career, passing through what but few ever live to see. Has been a pioneer all his life.

Politically, he is a Republican. He wanted to enlist in the late Rebellion, but was rejected on account of his wounds. Had a commission from Adjutant-General Baker, and raised and organized and sent to the field three companies, drilling them three months.

~History of Floyd County, Iowa; Vol. 2; Union Township, pg. 1120-1121; Chicago:Inter-state publishing co., 1882