Martin Obituary -------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Jerry Morrison Email: lwm@genesisnetwork.net -------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Courier-Democrat Russellville Arkansas January 28, 1915 The funeral services of circuit Judge Jess M. Martin, who died at Mineral Wells, Texas, last Friday, were conducted from the Central Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon, all business houses of the city being closed through respect to his memory during the hours of service, from 2 to 4 p. m. The body remained in state at the church from 12:30 until the hour of the funeral, where hundreds of friends availed themselves of the opportunity to view the remains. Following is the order of the service rendered at the church; Prelude, male quartet, "Jesus Saviour, Pilot Me." Sentences and invocation. Solo, "He Giveth His Beloved Sleep," Mrs. J. A. Livingston. Scripture reading, Rev. Wiley Lin Hurie. Prayer, Rev E. E. Strong. Male Quartet, "Lead Kindly Light" Tribute by Attorney-General W. L. Moose on behalf of the bar. Duet, "Crossing the Bar," Mrs. Walter Henry and Miss Lucy Brooks. Funeral sermon, by Rev Wiley Lin Hurie. Chorus, "Asleep in Jesus." The funeral oration on behalf of the bar by Attorney General Moose, who had known Judge Martin since his first entry into public life and who, while himself circuit judge of this district, had licensed the deceased to practice law, was a high tribute to his official and public life as well as to his personal and home life, it having been Judge Moose's priviledge to know him intimately in all the walks of life. The funeral by Rev. Wiley Lin Hurie testified to his devotion to church and his zeal and earnestness in the discharge of Christian duties and privileges; to his upright, moral life, devotion to home and home ties, and to the courage with which he bore his afflictions and endeavored to keep his suffering from his friends long after he himself recognized that he must finally submit to the ravages of his affliction. Floral offerings from the various fraternal organizations of which Judge Martin was a member, from the Pope County Bar, from the Arkansas Legislature, and from friends and relatives were banked about the handsome casket, which bore the simple inscription, "Judge Jess M. Martin," on a silver plate. Both branches of the Legislature, of which the deceased was a former member, adopted resolutions of condolence and appointed committees to attend the funeral. Hon. R. B. Wallace of Pope, V. A. Beeson of Conway, and Rorex of Yell, constituted the House committee, and they were also accompanied by Hon. Earl P. Bell. The Senate committee did not attend, owing to the fact that it was thought the statewide prohibition bill would come up for final action Tuesday, and the members did not care to be absent when the matters of such moment, were pending. The Senate, however adjourned at 3 p. m. through respect to the memory of their former president. The funeral procession from the church was headed by the Masons, Judge Martin's home lodge, No. 339, of London, having charge of the services at Oakland cemetery. Members of the local lodge also marched in line, and were followed by the Elks and members of the bar. At the cemetery the impresive Masonic oration was delivered by Dr. J. F. Hays, of this city. A Remarkable Career. Judge Martin was born near London, Pope county, in March, 1877. He was offered in early life only such opportunities as are the common lot of boys on the farm, and attended public schools until he was nineteen years of age, having taught in the district schools in the meantime. At the age of nineteen he came to Russellville as deputy circuit clerk under Jas. A. Webb. He attended the University of Arkansas in 1900, and in 1901 was a committee clerk in the House of Representatives whom Hon. Tom D. Brooks and J. A. McCraken were representatives, and Robert L. Lawrence state senator from this district, and Hon. A. S. Hays was chief clerk of the House. These men, all deceased except Mr. Hays, were his constant companions and later associates or partners in law. He was elected circuit clerk of Pope county in 1902 and re-elected in 1904. In the fall of 1906 he was elected state senator and served through the sessions of 1907 and 1909. Being president of that body in 1909, he served as acting governor for some time. Retiring to private life he practiced law in Russellville as a member of the firm of Brooks, Hays & Martin until 1911, when he entered the practice alone. He received the nomination for judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in March, 1914, and was elected without opposition in September following. He assumed the duties of his office October 31, holding his first court at Russellville in his home county, which convened on the third day of November. It was during this term that he suffered a collapse which forced him to call another to the bench, for the greater part of the term. On Thanksgiving Day he went to Mineral Wells, Texas, for treatment, where he died of Bright's Disease at 4:30 p. m. on January 23. Judge Martin was a competent business man as well as an attorney of recognized ability and official of great promise, and while not wealthy, he had a competency which he had acquired by his own industry and frugality, and was a public spirited citizenever working for the interest and upbuilding of his town and community. He was a generous contributor to church and philanthropic causes, an active church member, a deacon in the church, and teacher of a class in the Sunday School. To his friends the happiest memory of Jess Martin will be his radiant smile with which he greeted them at all times, his genial disposition, and his wholesome good humor. In his home life, he was gentle, tender, true, devoted. His family will miss a kind husband and father, his church will lose a faithful and earnest worker, his home city will lose a useful and honorable citizen. But, after all, his was a full, successful life, though it was lived in but few years, and his memory will be cherished in the hearts of his friends. He was married in Russellville in 1902 to Miss Mollie Ferguson of this city, and it seemed an ideal union. The wife entered heartily into and in many ways aided her husband in his achievments. He is survived by his wife, their only child, Ferguson, aged nine years, his aged mother, five brothers and four sisters. To these bereaved ones we tender our heartfelt sympathy.