Martin, Ira T. (1848-1907)

MARTIN, RAY, IVES, LUNN

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/9/2011 at 19:48:20

LeMars Semi-weekly Sentinel
12-27-1907

IRA T. MARTIN IS DEAD
WELL KNOWN LAWYER SUCCUMBS
TO HEART TROUBLE
DEATH COMES AS SHOCK TO FRIENDS
Many Were Not Aware that He Had
Returned from Los Angeles, California,
Where He Went Some Weeks
Ago to Seek Benefit of that Climate

Ira T. Martin, one of the best known citizens and lawyers of LeMars, died at his residence on South Franklin street, on Tuesday, shortly after noon. The news of his death was a shock to many. Though it was known he was in poor health it was not thought that his condition was critical. He returned from California only last Friday. He went to Los Angeles early in November in the hopes that the milder climate might benefit his health, but the hope was vain and
feeling that his end was near he hurried home to be with his beloved wife and son. His death was due to acute heart trouble with which he had been afflicted for some years. About a year ago while at Orange City on legal business he started to walk to Alton, a distance of three miles, to catch a train. On the road he was stricken with a seizure of the heart and although he recovered from the attack he had never been the same man since.

Mr. Martin was born in Racine county Wis. on April I8, 1848, of good old New England stock. He received his early education at the public schools of that county and Western college, Cedar Rapids. In the year 1863, when only a boy of fifteen he enlisted in Company B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer cavalry, and served for three years being mustered out in March, 1866. He was
wounded in a skirmish near Sarcey, Ark. After the conclusion of the Civil war he was with his regiment in the Southwest, along the Rio Grande, in Texas and in Arkansas. He had early made up his mind to follow the legal profession and on leaving the army resumed his studies. He read law with G. T. Crafts, of Cedar Rapids, and also with J. H. Ostrom and J. D. Hale. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and practiced in Cedar Rapids and then at Brooklyn.

In 1883 he came to LeMars and during that year formed a partnership with F. M. Roseberry, the firm name being Martin & Roseberry and later be was joined here by F. R. Gaynor and they together formed a partnership which lasted until 1890, when Mr. Gaynor was elected judge in the Fourth Judicial district, which position he still retains. Geo. C. Scott, one of the bright legal lights of the northwest and a leading politician, who now lives in Sioux City, was also a member of the firm at one time. Mr. Martin continued in law practice until his death. Of recent years his
son, Herbert S. Martin, has been associated with him, the firm name being Martin & Martin.

The deceased was an active member of Mower Post, No. 91, G. A R. and has held the office of commander and other offices. He was president of the board of library trustees and a member
of the local soldiers' relief commission. He was city attorney at one time, and was active in politics, being a staunch supporter of the old regime of republicanism.

Mr. Martin was always actively interested in the welfare and progress of the city in which he lived so long, especially in public enterprises and educational works. He was deeply interested in the public library and its well being and was president of the association for many years. He
was one of the main factors in the formation of the Northwestern Iowa Chautauqua association and was its first president, resigning on account of poor health. Another project in which he took great interest and was instrumental in organizing was the LeMars Hospital association. He was one of the most active members on the board and devoted much time and energy to its maintenance. He will be missed in this and many other lines of work of which the public takes but little note.

Mr. Martin was gifted with a keen, logical mind, clear cut and incisive if somewhat caustic at times. It is without a doubt that he would have risen higher in his profession if his brilliant brain had not been handicapped by the ills to which flesh is heir. Although of a reserved nature and reticent in speech, those who knew him well were aware of the strength of his feelings and the staunchness of his friendship. His enemies and no man has none, ever accredited him in the highest integrity and deemed his honesty beyond reproach, and higher tribute than this is hard to find. He did what he judged right pursuing his own way and his own methods, and his standard was one which many men could emulate and not be far from the straight and narrow path which leads to light.

By his contemporaries at the bar he was held in much esteem and his opinion on legal points valued.

Mr. Martin was united in marriage on July 3, 1870, to Miss Jennie M. Ray, of Peacham, Vermont, who with his son survives him. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Ives, of this city, and
Mrs. Lunn, of Racine, Wis.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at two o'clock at the home on Franklin street, Rev. W. G. Moore, of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.

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