[p. 726] a leading
citizen of New Castle and a prominent
member of her bar, has been a resident of
this city during the whole period of his
professional life and is a worthy member
of one of the old and honorable families of
this section. Judge Martin was born at
Neshannock Falls, Lawrence County,
Pennsylvania, October 30, 1859, and is a
son of James and Sarah (Mills) Martin.
Judge Martin's grandfather, William Martin, was born near Londonderry, Ireland, and came to America in 1827, settling in Washington Township, Lawrence (then Mercer) County, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He became the owner of a large tract of land, all of which remains in the family. He died in 1872 at the age of 74 years, leaving seven children to survive him.
James Martin, eldest son of William Martin and father of Judge Martin, was born in the family homestead in Washington Township. During his younger years he was engaged with his father in farming and driving cattle to the Philadelphia markets. After his marriage with Sarah Mills he moved to Wilmington Township, where he died in 1883 at the age of 61 years, having survived his wife three years, who died at the age of 57. He left to survive him nine children.
After completing the common school course at Shephard's school, Judge Martin entered Westminster College, where he graduated in 1881, after which he entered the law office of Honorable Lucian Baker at Leavenworth, Kan., remaining there a short time when he returned to New Castle and entered the office of D. B. and L. T. Kurtz, where he remained until he was admitted to the bar on September 23, 1883.
On his admission he formed a partnership with S. L. McCracken, the firm being known by the name of Martin & McCracken, and continued until 1886, when the firm was dissolved and the subject of this sketch continued the practice of law until 1892 when he was appointed to the position of Judge of the 17th District, composed of the Counties of Lawrence and Butler.
After retiring from the Bench he resumed the practice of his profession and since that time has been connected with a large part of the important litigation in the county, having an extensive office and court practice.
In later years he has represented many of the large corporate interests in his locality and has acquired an extensive practice in the United States Courts.
In politics Judge Martin has been identified with the Democratic party, but of late years has refused to accept nomination for any office.
He has become identified with a number of the manufacturing institutions of the locality, was a stockholder and director in the first electric light company in the city and has for several years been identified with the banking interests of this locality.
He was married in 1884 to Jane Andrews, daughter of Rev. J. K. Andrews of Bedford Springs, Pa., and with his family consisting of his wife and son, Norman Andrews, born October 10, 1886, resides at the corner of Grant and Mercer streets, New Castle, Pa.
He served as a member of Common and Select Councils and was active in the establishment of the sewerage system and street paving projects in the city.
Judge Martin has been a member of the Board of Law Examiners since 1880 and is regarded by the younger members of the bar as a friend at all times ready to render them any assistance in any matters of practice or in the solution of any questions confronting them.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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