JAMES K MARTIN

MARTIN, MORROW, STEPHENSON, BREEDEN, ROCKWELL, KENNEN, IRWIN, MCQUISTEN, KIELY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/19/2004 at 22:43:06

One of the prettiest farms in the southwestern part of this county - the most thoroughly cultivated and the richest in fertility - belongs to the subject of this notice. It is beautifully located on section 11, and comprises ninety acres, the soil of which has been most carefully cultivated, and which is embellished with a set of neat and tasteful buildings. It invariably attracts the eye of the passing traveler, and is recognized as the result of more than ordinary industry and forethought. It stands second to none of the rural homes of this region.

Mr. Martin is a native of County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States in his young manhood as early as April, 1846. He located first in New York City, where he sojourned for a period of twenty years, occupied in a wire manufactory. In the metropolis he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jane Morrow, to whom he was married. They became the parents of three daughters, the eldest of whom, Rebecca B., married William G. Stephenson, and now lives in Colfax, this State. Mr. Stephenson, during the late war, was a Sergeant in Company M, 2d Iowa Cavalry. Mary A. is the wife of DeSoto Breeden, and they live at the homestead. Maggie became the wife of Willis Rockwell, and died, leaving one child - Pearl, who is being reared by her Aunt Mary. The mother of these children departed this life at the age of forty-five years, in June, 1872. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

While a resident of New York State, and during the progress of the Civil War, Mr. Martin enlisted in the militia, and in 1864 was put in the regular service as a member of Company D, 4th New York Infantry, and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. Soon afterward the regiment was called home to quell a riot in New York City. Not long afterward he received an honorable discharge, and in April, 1865, came to this county and purchased the land which he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Martin learned the trade of wire-maker after coming to this country, and after coming to Iowa, abandoned farming for a time and established himself in Chicago as proprietor of the Enterprise wire works. Two years later he sold out and returned to his farm, where he has since been content to remain. Mr. Martin, upon becoming a naturalized citizen, identified himself with the old Whig party; but upon its abandonment cordially endorsed Republican principles, and to them has since given his unqualified support. He is at present the Road commissioner of his township, and has been Treasurer of his School District since the spring of 1882. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being identified with the Hermitage Lodge No. 298 at Andrew. He has given his children a good education; his eldest daughter, Rebecca, having completed her studies in the schools at Brooklyn, N.Y., where she attended Plymouth Church and Sunday-school, presided over by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.

James Martin, the father of our subject, was the son of John Martin, a native of County Down, Ireland; and the latter was a son of Hans Martin, whom it is supposed was a native of Hanover, Germany, and who, at all events, made his appearance in Ireland about 1690. There he reared his family and died. The father of our subject was reared and married in County Down. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Mary Kennen, and to them there were born six children, namely: James (our subject), John, George, William, Agnes, and Maggie. Agnes became the wife of John Irwin, who was killed at the battle of Deep Run during the late Civil War. She was then married to Philip McQuisten, and died in Brooklyn, N.Y. Margaret, (Mrs. Kiely), resides in Chicago, where her husband died.

The parents of our subject came to the United States in 1847, the year after his arrival here, and located first in New York City. Later they removed to a farm, where the father died. The mother then returned to the city, where she spent her last days. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)