Biography of William J. Martin - Summers Co. WV


The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 603-604


WILLIAM J. MARTIN is associated with his brothers David
E. and Giles R. in the control of a large and important
contracting and building business, with headquarters at
Hinton, county seat of Summers County.  The Martin
Brothers have been the contractors in the erection of many
of the fine dwelling houses and other buildings not only at
Hinton and in other parts of Summers County, but also at
numerous other points in the state, especially in the coal-
producing districts. All of the brothers were born in Pipe-
stem district, Summers County. There William J. Martin
was born September 10. 1881. The parents, Richard and
Louisa (Houchins) Martin, were born respectively in Giles
County and Summers County. Virginia, the latter county
being now in West Virginia. Richard Martin was born July
31, 1843, and his wife was bora on the 5th of November of
that year. This honored couple have celebrated the sixtieth
anniversary of their marriage. and they are numbered among
the venerable citizens of Hinton. Richard Martin was a
loyal soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war, took part
in the battles of Cloyd Mountain, Cedar Creek and Gettys-
burg, and was once captured, but friends soon effected his
release. He was a boy at the time of his parents' removal
to Summers County, where he was reared to manhood and
where he continued his successful and active association
with farm industry until 1904, since which time he has
lived retired at Hinton. He is a republican, is affiliated
with the United Confederate Veterans, and he and his wife
still retain membership in the Primitive Baptist Church
known as Knob Circuit, in Pipestem District. Of their ten
children, six are living: Nancy is the wife of W. H. Belcher,
of Hinton; David E. was the next in order of birth, the
date of his nativity being February 22, 1876; Cora is the
wife of Robert Hill, of Hinton; William J., of this review,
is the next younger; Giles R., the youngest member of the
firm of Martin Brothers, contractors and builders, is the
next in order of birth; Dr. E. L. is engaged in the practice
of dentistry in the City of Charleston. Of those deceased
it may be noted that Alice, who died in 1902. was the wife
of Levi Matteson Neely, she having been the mother of
Dr. Robert S. and W. Clyde and R. Claude Neely, of whom
Individual mention is made elsewhere in this work; May,
who was still a young woman at the time of her death, was
the wife of Robert Bosham, of Summers County. Robert
died at the age of nineteen and Maude, at the age of
eighteen years.

William J. Martin and his brothers were reared on the
home farm and received the advantages of the local schools.
William J. was eighteen years old when he initiated his
apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade.  He became a
skilled workman and was employed by the Snyder Con-
struction Company of Mount Hope, his two brothers who
are now his associates in business having likewise learned
their trade with this concern, in the employ of which the
three brothers continued a number of years. In the initial
stage of their independent activities as contractors the
Martin Brothers established their headquarters at Hinton,
they having been assigned by their former employers to erect
the Warren residence in this city, and after completing this
work they started their independent enterprise as contractors
and builders, in which their success and prestige have
proved unequivocal.

William J. Martin has been active in the local ranks of
the republican party since his early youth, and he and his
brothers are known for their civic loyalty and progressive-
ness. He has had the management of many local cam-
paigns in Summers County, and has been influential in the
councils of his party, many of whose leaders in West Vir-
ginia are well known to him. In 1914 Mr. Martin was
elected city treasurer of Hinton, and in 1916 was chosen
mayor of the city, his administration as chief executive
having been marked by most vigorous and progressive
policies. He has served also as chairman of the Summers
County Republican Committee. He and his wife are active
members of the Christian Church, and he is treasurer of the
building committee which is to supervise in the near future
the erection of the new church edifice at Hinton. In the
Masonic fraternity Mr. Martin has thrice served as master
of the Blue Lodge, and has been high priest of the local
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is affiliated also with
the Commandery of Knights Templars at Hinton and with
the Temple of the Mystic Shrine in the City of Charleston.
He and his brothers are representative members of the Hin-
ton Chamber of Commerce, and are loyal snpporters of its
progressive policies.

December 28, 1908, recorded the marriage of William ,T.
Martin and Miss Ona Morris, daughter of C. E. Morris, of
Hinton. The three children of this union are William J.,
Jr., Raymond and Marguerite.

David E. Martin married Miss Lessie Falls, daughter of
Louis Falls, of Hinton, and they have four children: Hallie,
Eva, Neta and Luther. Mr. and Mrs. David E. Martin are
zealous members of the Christian Church at Hinton, and
he is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the
Mystic Shrine, his brother Giles R. likewise being affiliated
with the Masonic fraternity and being also a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.


Submitted by Valerie Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net> 

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