My Genealogy Hound

Robert T. Martin. Among the leading planters of Cadee Township the name of Robert T. Martin is well known. This name is synonymous of all that is honorable and upright, and is a guarantee that the confidence reposed in him will not be betrayed. He was born in Spartanburg District, S. C, in 1846, and is the son of Thomas Jefferson and Louisa M. (Dodd) Martin. Thomas J. Martin and wife were natives of South Carolina, and in 1850 came to Cass County, Ga., thence to Mississippi, where his death occurred in 1858. He was a major in the South Carolina militia at an early day. His father, Thomas Martin, was also of South Carolina nativity, though of Scotch-Irish descent, and during his life was a very prominent planter. His wife was of French origin. To Thomas J. and wife a family of five children were born, of which Robert T. is the oldest. After her husband’s demise, Mrs. Martin and her family moved to Arkansas, settling in what is now Woodruff County, where she died May 3, 1866. She was the daughter of Thomas Dodd, a native of South Carolina, but who resided in Georgia, also Mississippi, and finally ended his days in Arkansas, in 1865. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and at the time of his death was a successful planter of St. Francis County. Robert T. Martin has called Arkansas his home since his thirteenth year; though the facilities for schooling were far from satisfactory in his early youth, he has, by constant reading, become conversant with the events of the times. In 1862 Mr. Martin joined Company G, Eighteenth Arkansas Infantry, and was in service east of the Mississippi till the siege of Port Hudson. He participated in the fights of Farmington, Corinth, Big Creek, Ironton, and all through the raid of Gen. Price in Missouri, Kansas, Indian Territory, etc. He surrendered at Helena, June, 1865, and was held prisoner for about eight days after the capture of Port Hudson. After the close of the great struggle Mr. Martin resumed his occupation of farming, and in July, 1867, he married Mattie E. Robertson, a native of Georgia, and a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Miliner) Robertson. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson resided in Georgia for a number of years, then moved to Florida, thence to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and during the war they came to Arkansas. After a short residence in Arkansas they moved to Mississippi, and then again to Alabama, where Mrs. Robertson now lives, her husband having died in Alabama a number of years ago. He was at one time a farmer and merchant, and later a contractor and builder. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Martin eleven children have been born, two sons and one daughter now living, and all enjoying excellent educational advantages, no expense nor pains being spared. Mr. Martin lived near Cotton Plant, engaged in farming until 1883, then came to Howell Township, where he is now residing. While in Howell he engaged in the mercantile business, which he successfully carried on for three years in connection with his farming. He is one of the leading land holders of Woodruff County, owning 1,300 acres of land, 600 of which are under cultivation, and on this farm is erected one of the most magnificent residences in this county, all the result of good management and careful attention to every detail of business, however trifling or insignificant. He has met with several severe reverses, in 1867 and 1869 lost all, but after a short absence in Mississippi, he returned, and went to farming on shares till 1873. Subsequently he purchased 164 acres near Howell, this being his first land, since which time he has constantly added to his possessions until obtaining the present amount of land, which he calls his own, and all through his own exertions. He has served in the official position of court deputy, sheriff, etc. In his political views Mr. Martin has been a life-long Democrat, voting for Greeley in 1872. He is a member of A. F. & A. M. Lodge, at Cotton Plant, of Richmond Lodge, and was once secretary of I. O. O. F., at Cotton Plant, now disbanded; also a member of Augusta Lodge No. 1122, K. of H., and he, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.