My Genealogy Hound

W. B. MARTIN, who has been a resident of Sedalia for the past eleven years, is now serving as Alderman from the First Ward, and is prominent in political circles of the Republican party. He is an expert in drilling artesian wells, and at present is in partnership with Charles Coleman, the firm being known as Martin & Coleman, and their shop is located at No. 113 Kentucky Street. Mr. Martin has been very successful in his business operations here, and has more contracts on hand than he can well attend to. The father of our subject, John Martin, was born in Germany and came to the United States in early manhood. Settling in the vicinity of Boonville, Mo., he purchased a large farm and also opened a blacksmith shop, in which he followed the trade he had learned in his native land.

His farm is still owned by members of his family. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1881, he was in his sixty-fifth year. His wife was known in maidenhood as Lizzie Martin, but was not a relative, however. She was born in Germany and is still living on the old homestead. Both parents were devoted members of the Catholic Church, in which faith they reared their children. Nine of their family are still living, and most of the number reside in Cooper County. One of the sons, John C., a soldier of the Civil War, was wounded on one occasion as he was carrying the flag.

W. B. Martin was born near Boonville Cooper County, July 15, 1863, and until sixteen years of age was employed in agricultural pursuits. He attended the common schools and the Boonville High School, acquiring a good education. When in his seventeenth year he began to learn the black-smith’s trade at a carriage factory, and later worked at the business in Carthage, Mo., in company with a Mr. Brownsell. Then, returning to Boonville, he was employed by John Welch for some time, and finally opened a shop in Bunceton, running the same for two years. Later he went to St. Louis, where he continued at his trade until his health failed, when he was obliged to take a vacation.

It was in July, 1884, that Mr. Martin made his first trip to Sedalia, and as he liked the enterprising little city, decided to locate here permanently. For a time he assisted Mr. Fisher in his shop, and ultimately bought out the plant of Mr. Pauls. Besides the shop, he is the owner of other property in the city. In 1885 he began drilling wells, first using one drill and afterwards two. They are the latest improvements in this line, and are run by two engines, ten-horse power. At present the partners have a large contract for drilling wells at Forest Park, and their success is assured.

While living in Boonville Mr. Martin was married to Rosa M., daughter of Felix McGow, of Sedalia, and sister of John McGow, a well known citizen of this place. Mrs. Rosa Martin died, leaving two children, Rosa and Willie. The lady who now bears the name of our subject was a Miss Lizzie Snyder, a native of Sedalia, and to their union has been born one child, Harald. The parents are members of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church, of which Mr. Martin is a Trustee. He is Vice-President of the Catholic Brotherhood Association, is Treasurer of the Knights of Father Mathew, and belongs to the Woodmen of the World, as well as to Amity Lodge, A. O. U. W. In March, 1895, he was nominated on the Republican ticket as Alderman from the First Ward, and was duly inaugurated the following month. He is popular in all circles, and is respected by a host of acquaintances.