Yolo-Calaveras-Santa Clara County CA Archives Biographies.....Martin, James Thurston 1850 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

JAMES T. MARTIN, M. D.—The history of this State is unique, thrilling and
wonderful. No other country can boast of such exciting and romantic events, or
of example so worthy of emulation as California.

  The historian here has an almost unlimited storehouse from which to select his
material, and to relate the narratives of the many interesting and exciting
incidents which have taken place in our midst, and the wonderful prosperity
which is ascribed to the growth and development of this—the land of promise.

  Of course the experiences as told by the pioneers, who came here in an early
day, form a most valuable part, and, in fact, are indispensable in chronicling
events which have occurred here, and go a long way in making up a history. But
aside from all this, there is another class of men, who, in their way, bear just
as important a part in the introducing of new ideas, and revolutionizing, as it
were, the old set and fogy ways that are so characteristic to many of the old
Californians.

  In making a retrospect of this country during the past few years, we find that
the young men of to-day are rapidly assuming relations, both in the business and
professional circles, as well as in the managing of our political affairs and
local and public institutions.

  In making any mention of this class of men, who are now prominent in one way
or another, we feel no hesitancy in presenting the name of James T. Martin, a
leading physician of Woodland.

  Dr. Martin is a homeopathist, who has unbounded faith in that method of
treating disease, and in him the people of Yolo County have an able physician,
thoroughly versed in his profession. He is in every sense of the word a
self-made man, and though now in the very vigor of manhood has had to undergo
many trying hardships in order to properly fit himself to work out the problem
of life. A few points of interest in his career, will, perhaps, deserve proper
mention at this time. His father, Norman Martin, was a descendant of the Scotch
Highlanders, coming from that old Celtic stock which underwent so many hardships
in the history of that country, and was born in Stronoway, Lewis Island, off the
northwest coast of Scotland.

  He was a carpenter by trade, and, in 1841, left his native country in the
employ of the Hudson Bay Company, coming to Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia
River, arriving there in the spring of 1842. He married a lady named Julia
Bridgefarmer, who came from Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and from the time he first
went there continued to make his home in Oregon.

  James Thurston Martin, the subject of this article, was born in Yamhill
County, Oregon, November 26, 1850. His education was partly received in the
public schools, but principally at the Pacific University, at Forest Grove,
where he worked his way through school, and was graduated from that institution
in 1876, in a class of six, three of whom were Japanese, who have since become
prominent in their own country. After graduation he went to Washington, then a
Territory, and commenced teaching. He was principal of the public schools at
Seattle for nearly two years, and occupied a similar position with the schools
of Olympia, the capital of Washington.

  All this time our subject was bent upon studying medicine. While in Olympia he
met J. B. Huntington, with whom he made arrangements to take a drove of cattle
overland to Cheyenne. Upon arriving there, he also proceeded with these cattle
by rail through to Council Bluffs and Chicago. This was done with the intent to
work his passage East, and avoid paying out any of his limited amount of funds,
knowing full well that the plan he had laid out before him would require all the
means at his command, and indeed more. At Chicago he bought a railroad ticket to
Ann Arbor, which was the only money paid out for fare up to this point of the
journey. Arriving at Ann Arbor October 6, 1880, he entered the Medical
Department of the University of Michigan, and in due time, after a great amount
of perseverance on his part, devoting his vacations to work in the corn-fields,
and employing every spare hour to the best advantage, he won for himself a
diploma from that noted institution, June 28, 1883.

  Now being well versed in the theoretical part of his profession, the young
physician turned his attention toward the attainment of further knowledge in a
practical way. Through some friends he shortly afterward obtained the
appointment as physician for the Skokomish Indian reservation, with headquarters
at the head of Hood's Canal. There he remained until the change of
administration occurred and President Cleveland went into office, when Dr.
Martin resigned his position and came to California. He opened an office in
Woodland September 10, 1885, since which time he has been engaged in the active
practice of his profession. While Dr. Martin is an excellent physician, he is at
the same time an able surgeon, having a high reputation in this department of
his profession.

  While a medical student at Ann Arbor he joined the Masonic order, in 1883, and
is now connected with Woodland Lodge, No. 156. Since his residence in this city
he has associated himself with the Order of Chosen Friends, Ancient Order of
Foresters and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the
Congregational Church of Woodland, first joining that body in Forest Grove,
Oregon, some fifteen years ago.

  Dr. Martin is at present a member of the Advisory Board to the Trustees of the
Hahnemann Medical College of San Francisco.

  He was married March 31, 1885, to Mrs. M. M. Huntington, a native of
Switzerland, but reared in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a widow with two
children, viz.: Lutie and Fred. Huntington, the former born in August, 1874, and
the latter April 26, 1877. Mrs. Martin is a sister of the eminent artist Carl
Guthers, whose paintings have taken an international prize at the Paris Salon.
She is also a sister-in-law of General Flower, of St. Paul, Minnesota. By the
present marriage there are four children, viz.: Genevieve, born January 26,
1887; Thurston Guthers, born May 5, 1888; Lewella and Lenala (twins), born April
25, 1890.

  Such in brief is a resume of the life of our subject. He is a man of fine
gentlemanly ways, possessing a modest and unassuming manner, and is not gifted
with any unnecessary display or waste of language,—more especially so in his
professional capacity. Yet in a social way he is pleasant and congenial, and has
a happy faculty of making many friends.

  He is a man who is thoroughly interested in his chosen field of labor, and
practices his profession for the love he has for it, and the interest he takes
in suffering humanity.

  He was elected a member of the International Hahnemann Association at the
meeting held in Montreal, Canada, in 1889.

  He was elected Vice-President of the California State Homeopathic Medical
Society, at San Francisco, on the 14th of May, 1890, and was also chosen as
Chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, having for its object
supervision of measures of legislation affecting the welfare of medicine, and
especially of the Homeopathic school.

  Dr. Martin certainly has a bright future before him, of which, it is equally
certain, he is deserving.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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