Martin, Ira L.

MARTIN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 16:55:21

Ira L. Martin

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.462)
Ira L. MARTIN, Silver Creek Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is one of the well-known and successful men of the township. He has made his home here since the spring of 1874 and is highly esteemed by all who know him. An outline of his life is as follows:

Mr. Martin was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 21, 1840, son of Ira and Jane (WOODS) MARTIN, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a youth of sixteen years when his family moved to Logan County, Illinois, and settled ten miles north of Lincoln. The mother died in that county in 1879 and the father subsequently came to Pottawattamie County where he died in 1885 at Macedonia. The latter was a farmer all his life; was a member of the Christian Church and cast his vote with the Democratic party. They reared five children, four of whom are now living: Ira L., John, Harriet Jane, and W. J. Montgomery served three years in the later War. He was a member of the One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and died of disease contracted while in the service.

In 1871 Ira L. Martin moved to Gentry County, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Barbara KERR, a lady of much intelligence and refinement, who was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, and reared in Fayette County, Iowa. Her parents, John and Eliza (HANEY) KERR, were both born in Pennsylvania state, and her father was one of the early settlers and pioneers of Fayette County. Mr. Martin remained in Gentry County, Missouri, until 1874 when he came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of wild land on which he now resides. He was one of the early settlers of this part of the county. Since he took up his residence here, he has met with prosperity and has added to his first purchase, now being the owner of 200 acres of land, as good a farm as there is in the neighborhood. He has a comfortable modern home, built in 1890, at a cost of $850. The main part is 16 X 26 feet, 14 feet high, with an L, 14 X 20 feet, and a summer kitchen, 14 X 18 feet. His farm is divided into five fields and is supplied with stables, cribs, and other buildings. He has a grove and an orchard of three acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin have eight children, namely: Edward Clarence, Albert Meerton, Alfred, Artellia Belle, Carrie, Emma, Oscar, Cora Elizabeth and Lawrence. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a friend to education, good morals and religion, and any movement that has for its object the advancement of the best interests of his community is sure to find in him an earnest supporter.