My Genealogy Hound

ANDREW B. MARTIN LL. D., attorney at law and professor of law in Cumberland University was born in Smith County, Tenn., in 1836, son of Matthew and Matilda (Crow) Martin, both born in Virginia and Ireland, respectively. The father was born about 1800 and was married about 1822. He was a physician and was educated at Clinton College. At the time of his death in 1849 he was a resident of Paris, Texas. The mother was born in 1804 and came to the United States with her mother in 1812. Soon after her husband’s death she returned to Tennessee with her family of twelve children. She devoted her life to their welfare and died in 1876. Our subject early cherished the idea of becoming a lawyer, but owing to the untimely death of his parents and other adverse circumstances, he was compelled to abandon the idea for some time. At the age of eleven years he worked in a brick-yard all summer for $13 and at the age of thirteen he left home and began earning his own living. In April, 1852, he reached Lebanon, Tenn., an entire stranger, without money and eighty-five miles from home. He secured a position in the drug store of Allison & Cook with whom he remained five years. His leisure hours were spent in study and in 1857 he began reading Blackstone. He was aided by the faculty of Cumberland University and was made their book-keeper for his tuition. In 1858 he graduated from the same and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession and was regarded as a successful, earnest advocate and safe counselor. He formed a partnership with W. H. Williamson, but at the breaking out of war he enlisted in Company H, Seventh Tennessee Volunteer Infantry and fought in many bloody battles. He served as third lieutenant of his company for some time and was then made adjutant-general upon the staffs of Gen. G. G. Dribrell and Gen. Wheeler. He served about four years and returned home May 20, 1865. He immediately resumed his practice and May 6, 1868, wedded Alice Ready, daughter of Hon. Charles Ready, of Murfreesboro. She was born in 1842 and has borne her husband five children: Mary, Martha, Andrew, Helen and Bennett. In 1876 he was elected professor of law in his old alma mater and has since held the position. In 1871-72 he was a member of the lower house of the State Legislature, being chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In 1880 he was elector of the State at large in the election of Hancock and English and canvassed the State in their behalf. He has been special judge of the circuit and chancery courts numerous times and is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and from his childhood has displayed qualities of head and heart which have enabled him to surmount obstacles which would have discouraged many men.