Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p 471. James MARTIN. Grain dealer. In giving a list of
the principal business men of Attica, ind, the catalogue would be incomplete if mention
were not made of Mr. Martin, who is well known throughout his section as an extensive
grain dealer and prosperous, enterprising and honorable man of affairs. He thoroughly
understands every detail of his calling is a shrewd and intelligent purchaser, and as a
result is firmly established in business and enjoys a comfortable competency. Mr. Martin
first saw the light of day in Butler County, Ohio July 19, 1825, but his parents, Thomas
and Elizabeth Marshall Martin were born in Maryland. The fertile praries of the west had,
however, many charms for them and in 1839 they found themselves in Tippecanoe County,
Indiana and in 1844 in Keokuk, Iowa. In the last mentioned place they made their home
until the father was called from life in 1876, his attention having been given to the
occupation of pork packing, at which he was an expert. For many years he had also followed
the calling of a merchant, in which he was likewise successful. At age 16 James Martin
began serving an apprentiseship at the saddler's trade in Cincinnati, Ohio where he
remained about 4 years, then worked about the same length of time at LaFayette, Ind after
which he followed his parents to Iowa, and having save some money, engaged in general
merchandising, and for four years thereafter did a fair business. At abut the end of the
time he returned to Indiana in 1849 opened a mercantile establishment at Perryville, which
he conducted with good judgment and with fair financial results until 1851, when he came
to Attica and began buying grain, an occupation that has received his attention up to the
present time, with the exception of the years from 1878 to 1882. During the long period
during which Mr. Martin's attention has been devoted to this calling, his reputation
for honesty and fair dealing has never been questioned, and the confidence which the
people have in him has never been abused. He is acknowledged to be a leader in the
business affairs of the town, and his intelligence, enterprise, integrity and many other
estimable qualities have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any factitious
circumstances, but which is a permanent and spontaneous tribute to his merit. His grain
elevator, which was built when the canal was in operation, has a capacity of 100,000
bushels. During his career he has been in partnership with various men, Peter S. Veeder
and himself being associated inb usiness for about 24 years. He was also associated with
J.T. Nixon for 4 years, but his sons are his business partners at present. When the canal
was first opened Mr. Martin also engaged in lumber, but when the railroad was built
through the town he gav eup that enterprise to devote his time wholly to the business of
buying grain, which has reached the sum of one million bushels per annum. He also has an
elevator at Williamsport. He has always bee a very active Republican and in 1878 was
appointed Postmaster of Attica, which office he held four years. In 1851 he was married
in Perryville (Perrysville?) to Miss Mary M. Gookins, and by her is the father of the
following children: Lucius G, Postmaster of Attica; Harry C, in the lumber business, Fred
v and James R all of whom are associated in business with Mr. Martin. He has show his
approval of secret organizations by joining the Masons, becoming a member of Attica Lodge
No. 18 and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In addition to the
business above mentioned Mr. Martin has also given considerable attention to the shipping
of stock, and is the owner of a tile factory which furnishes employment to about 12 men
and whose annual output is 7 or 800,000. He is a Director of the Farmers Merchants'
Bank is Treas and director of the City Milling Company and has been interested in other
substantial enterprises. In fact, he is a wide awake and progressive man of affairs, as
are also his sons, who are associated with him in all his enterprises and are proving
themselves to be shrewd financiers.