John E. Martin has spent his entire life in Salem, Illinois, having been
born here December 24, 1857, the son of Gen. James S. Martin. His mother was
known in her maidenhood as Jane Elston, of English ancestry. The parents of
the subject were married in Salem. To them were born seven children, three
of whom are living, namely: John E., our subject; Luther, living in Salem;
and Mrs. Grace M. Webster, also of Salem. They all received the most careful
training possible by their parents and were given good common school
educations. The subject's father, whose life history is given in detail on
another page of this work, passed away in 1907, after a long and busy
career, and the mother of the subject, who was a woman of beautiful
attributes, was called home in 1889.
John E. Martin, our subject,
spent his boyhood in Salem, where he attended the common schools, making a
splendid record in the same. He later attended the Claverack (New York)
Military School, and a private school at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, which
was later moved to Media, that state. He also went to school at Boonville,
Missouri, to the Kemper Family school. In both of the latter he made rapid
progress and came out well fitted for life's duties. After leaving school
Mr. Martin launched in the dry goods business in Salem in which he continued
with marked success attending his efforts for a number of years, finally
moving his store to Sandoval, Illinois, where he also remained for several
years, building up an excellent trade by reason of his minute knowledge of
this line of business and his courteous treatment of customers, always
giving them value received. In 1888 our subject assisted his father, who was
State Chairman of the Republican State Committee, in the clerical work, and
after the campaign he accepted a position with J. B. Farwell Company at
Chicago, as salesman, and he remained with this firm for five or six years,
giving entire satisfaction in his work. He came back to Salem about 1890 for
the purpose of accepting a position with the Salem National Bank which he
has been connected with since that time, giving the managers of this
institution entire satisfaction and handling his position in such a way as
to increase the prestige of the bank and reflect much credit upon his innate
ability. He has prospered by reason of his executive ability and modern
business methods until he has accumulated considerable property, owning at
this time valuable farming lands. He is also a stockholder in the Salem
National Bank.
Mr. Martin's domestic life dates from June 18, 1894,
when he was united in marriage with Clara Merritt, the accomplished daughter
of Hon. T. E. Merritt, an old and respected family of Salem. This union has
been blessed by the birth of five children, two of whom are living and three
deceased. Their names are: The first child died in infancy, unnamed; James
Stewart and Margaret Merritt, twins, are both deceased; Merritt Elston and
Alice Jane are living, both bright and interesting children.
Mr.
Martin takes a great interest in church work, being a member of the
Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He has been interested in
helping build the new church on West Union street, which is one of the most
attractive and substantial little churches in Salem. In politics Mr. Martin
is a loyal Republican, always ready to lend a helping hand to promote the
interests of his community whether along political, educational, moral or
religious lines. The home of the subject is nicely furnished, and presided
over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Martin, who is often hostess to
numerous friends of this popular family. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are pleasant
people to meet, always courteous and kind.
Extracted 10 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 262-263.