My Genealogy Hound

James A. Martin, of the firm of J. A. Martin & Bros., manufacturers, comes from a family of Missouri pioneers. He was born in Pike County, Mo., December 3, 1854, and is a son of F. G. Martin, of Lincoln County, Mo. The family is one of the oldest in Eastern Missouri, their ancestors settling in that State in its earliest days. The elder Martin was married in Pike County, Mo., to Miss Susan E. Doyle, a native of that place, and after his marriage resided there for a number of years. In 1867 he came to the State of Arkansas and located at Powhatan, where he carried on the manufacture of wagons up to the year 1880, when he returned to Missouri, and in the spring of 1889 moved to Texas, where he at present resides. James A. Martin came to Arkansas with his parents when fourteen years of age. In his youth he was given a good school and commercial education, and in order to be more thoroughly acquainted with his father’s business, he spent some time in blacksmithing and wagon-making. His knowledge of the business, being gained from practical experience, enabled him to build up a large and profitable trade. The firm manufacture spring wagons, buggies, etc., and turn out about 60,000 spokes monthly, besides felloes, plow beams and implements of a like nature. Their trade is one of the most extensive in Northeast Arkansas in their line, and their goods have obtained a well-merited renown. March 12, 1877, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Ida Fortenberry, of Mississippi, a daughter of Absalom Fortenberry, of that State, and this happiest of unions has been blessed with three children: Guy R., Carrie and Nina. Mr. Rogers and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the former is a Mason. He is a very popular man, both in business and society, and is also one of the most progressive men of his county.