James Henry MARTIN

MARTIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

James Henry “Jim” Martin
12 May 1872 --- 22 December 1947

James H. Martin, 75, died at his home at 208 S. Commercial at 8:50 Monday morning, December 22. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while working at the store Saturday evening about 7 o’clock.

Mr. Martin lost consciousness soon after being taken to his home and he did not recover before his death. He gradually lost strength during Sunday and Sunday night and passed on quietly Monday morning.

Masonic funeral services were held Tuesday evening at the Kastler Funeral home. Public funeral services will be held in the Methodist church Friday afternoon, December 26, at 2:30. The Reverend Harrison G. Dawes of the Methodist church will be in charge. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Grandson Enroute Here

James Martin, his grandson, is coming by train from San Diego and will arrive in Eagle Grove this afternoon. James was unable to get flying accommodations which necessitated the slower train trip.

Since 1905 when Mr. Martin came to Eagle Grove and entered the grocery and market business here he has been one of Eagle Grove’s most prominent citizens. He was mayor of the city for 10 years and a councilman for six years previous to that.

He was a member of the I.O.O.F., the Modern Woodmen and the Masonic lodges. He was a charter member of Rotary and a member of the Chamber of Commerce as long as he lived here. He is a past president of both organizations and was a member of the board of directors of both.

Country Club Past President

He was one of the organizers of the eagle Grove Country Club and a past president and director of that club. Few activities or improvements have been carried on or accomplished here that Mr. Martin did not play an important part in the organization.

During all these years of busy and varied activity in community work Mr. Martin has operated his food store. Of late years as his community activities increased management of the store has fallen more on his son Arthur who is his partner in the business. The two for a number of years operated the Martin Wholesale company in addition to the retail store.

Mr. Martin came to Eagle Grove from Glidden, Iowa in 1905 where he operated a grocery. Previous to this he had been a salesman on the road for both the John Deere company and the International Harvester company. He was born in New Bedford, Illinois, May 12, 1872.

Five Term Mayor

He was elected mayor of Eagle Grove in the spring of 1937, defeating F. M. Whitney for the office. He was re-elected to the office for five terms, sometimes running unopposed. He was defeated in the election this spring running for his sixth term by Harry Schoonover for many years his competitor in the grocery business. Mr. Martin and Mr. Schoonover were the recognized deans of the food store business in this North Central Iowa area.

It was in the field of community activity that Mr. Martin built his reputation and gained his prominence. There are few honors that Eagle Grove has to give a man that Mr. Martin has not enjoyed.

He was especially active in the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce. He was in attendance at the last meeting of that group and took the floor to give his views on the matter of store closing during the holiday season. On any matter that needed decision by members of the Chamber a familiar question always asked was wheat does Jim Martin think about it.

Always Busy

He will be remembered by his hundreds of friends as a busy man. He was always working from early morning to late at night either at the store or on some community job. Eagle Grove has several coffee clubs. The first one assembles at one or the other of the restaurants for coffee about 6 a.m. and Mr. Martin was a member of this group. And from then on each day he was a familiar sight going about his many duties at the city hall, in the store or on the street or at a luncheon or dinner doing honor to visiting dignitaries.

Eagle Grove stores will close at 2 p.m. Friday for the funeral.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
December 25, 1947

source - Paul Wilde