Charles D. Martin is a native of Davenport, having been born, October 26, 1848, the son of Luke and Mary (Dyer) Martin, both natives of Ireland. Mr. Martin's father was a farmer, and came to Davenport in 1846, where he resided until his death in 1848. Mrs. Martin's death occurred in 1862. In the family there were but two children, James, residing now in the West, and Charles D., who is prominently identified with the business interests of the city in which he has spent his entire life.
The latter was educated in part in the public schools, and in part at Father Pelamorgues' school, an institution which flourished in Davenport for a number of years. Mr. Martin has been his own guide and counselor since he was thirteen years of age, and since that time has depended entirely upon his own resources for his advancement in the world. The first employment he had after leaving school was at farm work, for which he received eight dollars a month. Then he learned the harness maker's trade, in which he continued for about four years. Some time in 1868 he gave up his trade to accept employ ment on one of the river packets, with which he was connected for a couple of years.
In 1870 he joined a party of Davenporters, who immigrated to the Greeley Colony, in Colorado. A spirit of adventure and a desire to accumulate money prompted Mr. Martin to undertake this trip. Greeley at that time was an insignificant hamlet, there being few people there, and the chances for making money did not seem at all promising. The outlook not being favorable Mr. Martin remained there only about six months, returning to Davenport to take a position in the retail grocery establishment of J. F. Kelly. In this he remained for a couple of years, when he engaged in the grocery business on his own account in partnership with Daniel Leonard, under the firm name of Martin & Leonard. Mr. Leonard retired from the business at the end of a year and Mr. Martin continued the establishment in his own name for six years. In 1879 he formed a partnership with J. F. Kelly in the wholesale liquor business under the firm name of Kelly & Martin. He had disposed of his grocery establishment, in which he had been quite successful, and in the new venture with Mr. Kelly was more than ordinarily prosperous. Their business continued until prohibition was inaugu rated in this State. The latter had the effect of bringing about a dissolution of the partnership and Mr. Martin went into the wholesale fruit business, in partnership with 0. C. Woods and George W. Noth, under the firm name of Martin, Woods & Company. This establishment is still doing business in Davenport, having since been incorporated. It is now known as the Martin-Woods Company.
In 1891 Mr. Martin was appointed County recorder to fill the un expired term of Recorder Susenmiel. This position Mr. Martin held for six months, and in 1892 he organized the Davenport Bag and Paper Company in connection with George Noth and Gus Eckhardt. Of this company Mr. Martin is still the president.
On the first of January, 1892, Mr. Martin formed a partnership in the real estate business with George A. Koester, in which business he is engaged at the present time, giving the greater part of his attention to the transactions of this firm.
He has had a busy life for a young man, and the fact that he has succeeded in different kinds of business evidences his resourcefulness, sagacity and executive ability. He has to-day interests in a number of enterprises in the city, and has stock in concerns which are not men tioned above. He is a very energetic man, but has a great aversion to office work - in fact, this is one of his peculiarities, if it may be termed such - and for that reason has never been able to content himself with a life of confinement. In his present active connection with the firm of Koester & Martin he does the greater part of what is commonly termed “outside work” in connection with real estate transactions, and is better suited, perhaps, to this kind of work than to any other. He likes to come into contact with other men, enjoys the making of new acquaint ances, and is full of enthusiasm concerning the prospects for Davenport's future greatness. He gives strangers a splendid impression of the city and its resources, and is an active promoter of its material growth and prosperity.
He has always taken a lively interest in the city's welfare, and has found time to serve the city in the capacity of alderman from the Fifth Ward for six years. He was for five years chairman of the finance committee, and in this position many important matters came under his supervision. His record as an alderman is that of a man faithful and diligent in the performance of his obligations to his constituents. Mr. Martin was married February 19, 1878, to Miss Johanna Grace, daughter of Edward Grace of this city. To this union have been born seven children: Mary Elizabeth, William Henry, Grace Alice, Raymond Luke, Charles D., Florence Gertrude and Charles Edward, the last of whom died in his infancy. Mr. Martin has a handsome home located at the northwest corner of Eighth and Farnam Streets.
BIOGRAPHIES