Beckham County, OK - Obits: John C. Martin, 1926 07 July 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* MARTIN, JOHN C. (18 Mar 1926, Thursday, Texola Tribune, Texola, Beckham Co, OK): J. C. Martin, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Sayre died Thursday morning at eleven thirty, at his home in that city, from the effects of pneumonia. At the time of his death, Mr. Martin was 74 years of age. He had been prominently identified with the growth and development of Beckham county and Western Oklahoma. Mr. Martin had served the people of this county in an official capacity. He was district clerk of this county for two terms and was at one time under-sheriff of the county. It was said of him that during his tenure of office he kept the best set of books of any person serving in the same official capacity. At the time of his death he was acting as county auto tag agent for this county and had handled the work in a very efficient manner. The death of J. C. Martin is a distinct loss to the city of Sayre and Beckham county. The Tribune joins with his host of friends in extending condolence to the bereaved members of his family. (25 Mar 1926, Sayre Journal, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): J. C. MARTIN J. C. Martin, prominent and highly respected Sayre citizen, died at the family home, 302 North Broadway Tuesday morning at 11:30 o'clock, following an illness with pneumonia of only a few days. Mr. Martin was seventy-four years of age and had been prominently identified with the upbuilding of Sayre and the development of western Oklahoma. He was district clerk for two terms and under-sheriff one term. Much praise was given him for the manner in which he fulfilled his official positions with Beckham county. At the time of his death, Mr. Martin was county auto license tag agent and filled the position with much efficiency. Mr. Martin was a Shriner and a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge, a member of the Christian Church and also a honorary member of the Sayre Rotary Club, which distinction is given only those who have unselfishly given their services to their fellowmen. Mr. Martin also was for a number of years proprietor of a drug store here and was connected with other business enterprises. The deceased was loved and respected by those who knew him and his death was a distinct shock and loss to the good people of this section. Interment was made in the Doxey-Sayre cemetery at 2:30 Saturday afternoon, March 20th, with Rev. W. S. Deatherage officiating. Masonic ceremonies were held at the grave. (1 Apr 1926, Sayre Journal, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK): J. C. Martin, whose serious illness was mentioned in our last issue, passed away at his home, 302 North Broadway, at 11:30, on Thursday forenoon last. Funeral services were held from the Christian Church at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon, with interment at the Doxey-Sayre cemetery. Rev. W. S. Deatherage officiated at the funeral, while the burial at the cemetery was in charge of the Masonic fraternity, with very impressive ceremonies. The Knights of Templar escorted the remains from the home to the church and thence to the cemetery. The funeral services and burial were probably the most largely attended of any ever held in this city, the court house, banks and many of the business places closing during the funeral services, while there were many old friends present from neighboring cities and the surrounding country. In compliance with a request made by Mr. Martin before his death, the casket was not opened at the church. Under existing business conditions it was impossible for a number of the business houses to close during the rush hours of Saturday afternoon, but their remaining open was not because of any lack of desire to do honor to the departed, but because of the stress of business conditions. John C. Martin was born in McDonough county, Illinois, October 17, 1852, being 73 years of age at the time of his death. In March, 1874, he was married to Miss Edna Russell, who survives him. They resided in Illinois until 1883, when they moved to Burlington, Iowa, remaining there four years, and then moving to Davenport, Iowa, five years later, where they remained until they came to this city in 1909. During his residence in this city Mr. Martin served about a year as editor of the Headlight, under the ownership of H. A. Russell, then embarking in the drug business, in which he continued until his election as court clerk of Beckham county. After serving this county four years as court clerk, he was appointed under-sheriff by R. B. Francis, and served in that capacity for two years. At the time of his death he was the agent of the state highway department for the collection of automobile taxes. Mr. Martin was a Mason and at the time of his death was serving as secretary of Ivanhoe Commandry Knights Templar. Besides his aged wife, he leaves four sons, O. H. Martin, mayor of this city; Ben E. Martin, residing on a farm near Mayfield; Clyde S. Martin, of Davenport, Iowa; and Gail Martin, of Chicago, Illinois. A fifth son, Glen Russell Martin, gave his life in the cause of his country during the World War, dying of pneumonia at Coblenz, German(y), while with the occupation forces after the armistice had been signed. In his business and official life during his fifteen years residence in this city Mr. Martin made a host of friends, not only in this city, but over the entire county, his strict fidelity to his duties as an official and his honesty in all dealings commanding the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and not only in Sayre, but the entire county, today mourns the departure of one of our most highly respected citizens. (7 Mar 1912, Beckham County Democrat, Erick, Beckham Co, OK): For District Clerk. J. C. Martin wishes us to announce that he has decided to enter the race for district clerk of Beckham county, subject to the election of the democratic primary. Mr. Martin immigrated from Ill. to Iowa in 1882, from one republican state to another, came to Oklahoma in 1908, and located at Sayre, where he purchased the Russell & Fisher drug store. He was born in Ill., where it took courage to come out and champion democracy's cause, realizing that the opposition had an overwhelming majority, but nevertheless Mr. Martin, we are informed was always ready to take up the fight for that which he thought was right. This is the first time he has ever come before the democratic voters asking them to support him for office. Mr. Martin is not only well equipped for the clerical work which it is necessary for a district clerk to do, but is well fitted to represent the people in this office of responsibility. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html