John Martin was born in Morgan county, Kentucky, February 15, 1819, and is the son of Lewis Martin, a native of Kentucky. Our subject moved with his parents to Lawrence county, Tennessee, while an infant, and lived there during fifteen years, and there received the greater part of his education. From Tennessee he moved to Illinois, and was married in Hancock county, that State, September 8, 1839. He came to this State in 1845 and has lived in various counties of Missouri since, engaged in the practice of medicine and other branches of business. He came to Jamesport about ten years ago and has built up an extensive and profitable business in grain and lumber. Dr. Martin was surgeon of the Seventh Regiment of Missouri Volunteers for a time during the Civil War. He was elected to a seat in the State Senate from Sullivan county, in 1865, by a majority of her citizens, but the election returns were so handled and such a number of voters disfranchised and their votes rejected that he was not allowed to take his seat.
He has eight children: Martin T., Harriet, Edmund B., A. S., Vic., Isaiah, F. L., and Philanda. Dr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Baptist Church. He is, also, a member of Jamesport Lodge No. 201, A. F. & A. M. He is well esteemed by all, and in politics is a Democrat.