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         A. C. MARTIN, a leading farmer of Louisa County, residing on section 17, Port Louisa County, was born in Harrison County, Ind., in 1840, and is a son of John and Jane Martin, natives of Virginia. The father was a millwright by trade, and his death occurred in Indiana many years ago. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district schools of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. His mother having also died when he was quite young, he removed with a family by the name of Funk to Mercer county, Ill., residing there until 1861, when he became a resident of Muscatine County, Iowa, though he had previously visited the State in 1850. On the 21st of July, 1861, he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting in Muscatine, and was assigned to Company A, 7th Iowa Infantry, being mustered into service at Burlington. He was engaged in the battle of Belmont, the capture of Fts. Henry and Donelson, the battle of Shiloh, Corinth, the siege of Corinth, and was a member of the Hornet’s Nest Brigade. He received his discharge at Louisville, Ky., Aug. 12, 1864, after which he returned to Iowa, and in 1866, in partnership with Mr. Funk, bought eighty acres of raw prairie land, and commenced its improvement. In 1872 he purchased eighty acres of improved land, and now has a farm comprising 210 acres, 140 of which are under cultivation, sixty being grass land, and ten timber land.

In Louisa County, Iowa, in 1870, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Laura A. Wilson, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Henry and Clarissa A. (Hamilton) Wilson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Indiana, in which State the mother died. In 1856 the father came to Muscatine County, where he bought and improved a farm, and his death occurred in 1869.

After their marriage the young couple took up their residence on the farm which is still their home. To them have been born seven children—Frederic, Alice, Francis, Charles, Bertha, Chester and Roland, all yet at home. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political sentiments he is a Republican, and socially, is a member of William Vaile Post No. 447, G. A. R., at Fruitland. For the past ten years he has held the office of Township Trustee, is the present incumbent, and has served as Road Commissioner. He is a member of the School Board in his district, and takes a great interest in procuring efficient teachers and providing a good school.