My Genealogy Hound

John H. Martin, merchant and postmaster of Powhatan, is a native of Eldorado County, Cal., born June 17, 1854. He is a son of Josiah Martin, one of the veterans of the gold excitement during the early days of California. The elder Martin was born and reared in the State of Missouri, and left his home for California two years after the great gold fever of 1849 had spread its contagion all over the civilized globe. While there he met and married Miss Mary Mincer, of Pennsylvania, and after sixteen years of mining returned with his wife to the State of Missouri. The following year after his arrival he moved to Arkansas and located at Powhatan, where he is now in partnership with his son in the general merchandise business. John H. Martin resided in California until he reached his fourteenth year, when he returned to Missouri with his father. He received a good education, both in California and Missouri, and after completing his studies, in 1868, he moved to Arkansas and settled in Lawrence County. From 1870 to 1875 he was occupying a clerkship in one of the principal drug houses in Lawrence County, and afterward engaged in the same business himself. In September, 1880, he opened up a general stock of merchandise in partnership with his father, under the firm name of Martin & Son, but still continued in the drug business on his own account. The firm of Martin & Son do a business of about $30,000 annually, and enjoy an enviable reputation for fair dealing and honest goods. Mr. Martin was appointed assistant postmaster several years ago, and on the retirement of his superior, in 1875, was given the office, and has been postmaster ever since. In December, 1878, he was married to Miss Lula McLeod, of Georgia, but in June, 1880, he was deprived of the companionship of his wife by death. Charles H., ten years old, is the only child.