William McChesney Martin, born in Lexington, Kentucky, July 2, 1874; son of Thomas L. Martin and Hettie (McChesney); attended Higgins school and Alleghan Academy (Professor A. N. Gordon), Lexington, Kentucky; A. B., 1895, Washington and Lee University; LL. B., 1900, Washington University Law School; married Mary Rebecca Woods of St. Louis, November 21, 1905; children William McChesney Martin, Jr., and Malcolm Woods Martin; moved to St. Louis, as secretary to superintendent of terminals, Louisville & Nashville Railroad, March 1, 1896; chief clerk to division passenger agent, same road, 1898-99; resigned to attend law school; admitted to St. Louis bar, June 15, 1900; substitute teacher English classics, Smith Academy (St. Louis), 1899; entered trust department, Mississippi Valley Trust Company latter part of 1900 to take care of legal work in connection with estates; elected safe deposit officer of Mississippi Valley Trust Company, April 1, 1904; elected assistant bond officer same company, December, 1905; elected assistant trust officer and assistant bond officer of same company, 1908; elected vice president same company, April 22, 1914; resigned to accept position as chairman of the board and federal reserve agent of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, to which he was appointed September 30, 1914; author of several books and monographs on the law and practice of banking; member of American Bar Association; member St. Louis Bar Association; Presbyterian; clubs, Noonday, City, University, Racquet, Glen Echo Country Club.
