My Genealogy Hound

Hon. G. W. Martin was born within one mile of the present village of Martin, Tenn., on the 16th of October, 1839, and was one of a family of nine children. His parents, William and Sarah Martin, were born in the State of Virginia, the former in 1806. They were married in their native State, and soon after moved to Weakley County, Tenn., where they ever afterward made their home. The father at the time of his death, in 1858, was the owner of 2,500 acres of land on a part of which the town of Martin is located, taking its name from the owner of the land. Mr. Martin was the first and most extensive tobacco grower in Weakley County, and also did a mammoth business in buying and shipping the same. He was an ardent Whig in politics, and was a man well known and universally esteemed by all his acquaintances, and was a great factor for good in Weakley County. His wife died about 1852. Our subject’s rudimentary education was obtained in the schools near his home and Bethel College, which he attended two years. He was graduated from Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 1860, and in 1861 volunteered for one year in the service of the State of Tennessee, and belonged to the company known as the “Old Hickory Blues,” his captain being Bradford Edwards. After his term of service had expired he took a trip to Europe and spent three years in visiting places of historic note and interest. He farmed two years after his return home, and the following four years was engaged in milling at Gardner’s Station. He also had a steam cotton-gin and a factory for wool carding. In 1873 the Mississippi Central Railroad crossed the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railroad on a part of the homestead farm, which he then owned, and in May of the same year the town of Martin was laid out. He soon located in the town, and for six years was engaged in the flouring and saw-mill business. In the year 1883 he took an active part in organizing the bank at Fulton, Ky., and was chosen its first president. In June, 1886, the bank at Martin was established, through his instrumentality, with a capital stock of $50,000, and he is now its president and one of its largest stockholders. In 1873-74 he represented Weakley County in the State Legislature, and in 1877-78 served as State senator, and again in 1881-82 was in the House of Representatives. In 1884 he was called once more to the State Senate, which office he now holds. In 1873 he introduced the first measure for the regulation of the railroad system and also took an active part in forming laws to govern the present public school system. He was a strong advocate in favor of settling the State date, and in the excitement of the election of 1880, he was elected (though a candidate against his will) as a “State Credit Democrat” defeating J. M. Tout, a “low tax Democrat” by a majority of 650 votes. Mr. Martin is a man of excellent business principles, and by his honesty and respect for the feelings of others has gained the esteem of all. He is noted for being the first to advocate political measures that were first unpolitical but gradually grew into favor and afterward became law.