In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1848, Schuylkill County
From Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biog (1888)
J. MARTIN, inventor of the reversible \/jj// Monitor or Roadgrader, of Mt. Pleasant, was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., on the 16th of February, 1848. His father, John L. Martin, the first stonemason and contractor of Mt. Pleasant, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother was Carrie (Bird) Martin. They were married in Pennsylvania, and in 1856 emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, settling in Mt. Pleasant, where he embarked in his business, residing here until his death, which occurred in 1880. Mrs. Martin resides at Des Moines, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were the parents of five children, two of whom are dead; the living are: William, who is a stonemason, of Brighton, Iowa, and Wellington J., the subject of this sketch, and Clementine E., wife of W. H. Penn, a postal clerk, residing in Des Moines. John L. Martin held the political views of the Whigs until the organization of the Republican party, always since then voting with that party.
Our subject received his education at the common schools. He is a carriage-maker and mechanic by trade. In the year 1877 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Picking, daughter of ('. Picking, of Nebraska. By this union there are four children: Pearl P., Harry, Florence and Lydia.
In the year 1877 Mr. Martin patented the road grader, of which mention will be made in another part of this book; the thought flashing across his mind all in an instant, he set to work to invent that
JU most useful machine. He has now another machine under consideration which he hopes soon to complete. As a machinist, he has more than ordinary ability. having no superior and few equals in this region.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin are highly esteemed by all who know them, and have the confidence and love of the whole community. Mr. Martin is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and also the Knights of Labor. Politically he is a Democrat.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biog (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name J. Martin: George C. Bell (b. 1825)
The printed record stops around 1888. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.