Martin, Wesley

MARTIN, WONDERS

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 2/21/2010 at 23:53:23

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Vol II, 1912, p. 127

WESLEY MARTIN.

Wesley Martin is a veteran of the Civil war and his military experience also included service with the regular army. In this connection his record is commendable but not more so than his record as a member of the bar. He entered upon the practice of law in Webster City in 1876, and has since been engaged in the work of the profession, his ability, his legal learning and his devotion to his clients' interests winning him high rank. He was born in Navarre, Ohio, December 19, 1848, his parents being Samuel and Mary Martin, who died when he was quite young, so that he was reared by his grandparents. Wesley Martin was educated in the public schools of New Philadelphia, Ohio, but was not yet sixteen years of age when on the 2d of May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry. He was with that regiment for one hundred and twenty-six days and in November of the same year he enlisted in the Second New York Heavy Artillery, with which he served until the close of hostilities between the north and the south. Mr. Martin joined General Grant's army on the 27th of November, 1864, in front of Petersburg, and was in the closing battles of the war under that great commander until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Among Mr. Martin's valued papers is the "President's Thanks and Certificate of Honorable Service," signed by Abraham Lincoln and Edwin M. Stanton. After the war he joined the regular army, with which he was on duty in the south and west for three years. His military record is indeed a creditable one and few men of his years can claim the right to be numbered with the Civil war veterans. While but a boy in his teens at the time of his enlistment, he displayed bravery and loyalty equal to that of many a man of twice his years.

In 1873 Mr. Martin took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Colonel A. R. Mock of Cambridge, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court at Springfield, Illinois, on the 4th of January, 1876. On the 13th of May following he arrived in Webster City and began the practice of law, in which he has since continued. His progress in the profession has been continuous. Experience and further study have advanced his ability and he has proven his strength in connection with many litigated interests which have attracted widespread attention. Aside from his professional connections he is a director of the First National Bank and a stockholder in the Hamilton County State Bank.

Mr. Martin has always given his political allegiance to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In 1881 he was elected mayor. During his term he organized the city as a city of the second class and was the first mayor under the new organization. His administration brought about various needed reforms and improvements and at the same time was economically conducted, there being no useless expenditure of public funds. He brought to the discharge of his duties in connection with the business of the city, businesslike principles and habits and the work of the office was carefully systematized.

On the 24th of December, 1874, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wonders, a daughter of William Wonders, of Webster County, Iowa, who was a farmer by occupation and also engaged in coal mining in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Martin reside at No. 402 First Street. They are members of the First Baptist church and Mr. Martin belongs also to Acacia Lodge, No. 176, F. & A. M., of Webster City; Winfield Scott Post, No. 66, G. A. R. ; the Commercial Law League of America and the American Bar Association. He is a man of genial, social nature, possessing attractive qualities that have won him personal popularity, while his developing powers as a lawyer have long maintained him in a creditable position as a representative of the Webster City bar.