Representative William B. Martin View All Years

WILLIAM B. MARTIN.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to present resolutions with respect to the life and services of Hon. W. B. Martin, late of Adair County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following:

W. B. Martin was born March 17th, 1846, in Rochester, Windham County, Vermont, and died June 11th, 1916. He was a scion of an old New England family who were among the early settlers of the state of Vermont. He spent his early life on the farm, attended the common school, and State Normal School of Vermont for a period of about two years. He removed to the state of Illinois in 1868, and came to Adair County, Iowa, in 1870.

In 1872 he was married to Miss Lucy Derby. To them were born four sons and a daughter, who survive the father.

Mr. Martin early became an active and prominent citizen of Adair County, and was identified with the progress and improvement of that locality. He was made county auditor of Adair County, holding that office from 1874 to 1880. He was a member of the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth General Assemblies, serving in the special session which enacted the Code of 1897. His services as a member of the legislature were valuable and gave him a high standing as a legislator. His advice and counsel were frequently sought by his fellow members, all of whom held him in the highest respect. He was made secretary of state, holding that responsible office with credit to himself and with benefit to the state, for the period from 1901 to 1907. After the termination of his office he entered into business in the city of Des Moines, engaging in the real estate business, and was also president of one of Des Moines’ leading banks.

In every department of life W. B. Martin stood in the forefront of good citizenship. Loyal to the best interests of the state, successful in business, considerate and affectionate in his family circle, and warm in his friendship for his neighbors and friends, he was deservedly popular wherever he lived.

Politically he was a Republican, and while an earnest advocate of true temperance, and earnestly and heartily favoring the growing sentiment of prohibition, he led in the compromise of 1894, which stayed the tide of reaction in that good work, becoming the author of the Martin law, otherwise known as the Mulct Law, which for many years was regarded as a temporary settlement of that much vexed question.

His services were valuable to the locality in which he lived, the county which he represented, and the state which he served. He was a gentleman of the highest character. It was enough to say of him, and no higher praise can be given, than that he was a Christian gentleman.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Thirty-eighth General Assembly, that in the death of W. B. Martin the state and communities in which he lived have suffered the loss of an influential, upright and valiant citizen, and we hereby extend to his family and relatives our sincerest sympathy.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to send an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

A. O. HAUGE,

M. L. TEMPLE,

J. N. LANGFITT.