Merced County Biographies

CHARLES D. MARTIN

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        The fortunes of Charles D. Martin have been more or less intimately 
identified with the State of California since 1882. His life has been a varied 
and eventful one and its record is entitled to a place in the history of the 
State and more especially of Merced County, which has been the scene of his 
activity since 1884. Mr. Martin was born in Watertown, N. Y., on July 13, 1863, 
a son of James and Abigale (Pinney) Martin. James Martin was also born at 
Watertown and was a successful candy manufacturer during his life. Mrs. Martin 
was a native of Vermont and both are now deceased.
        Charles D. Martin completed the grammar and high school courses in 
Watertown, after which he took private instruction in civil engineering. In 1882 
he came West to San Francisco and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad Company, remaining for two years. He then came to Merced, in the 
interests of Charles Crocker, to assist in the construction of the canal 
location, which was known at one time as the Merced Irrigation Company, and 
still later as the Crocker-Huffman Land & Water Company, and in June of that 
year he was given entire charge of the engineering department. Some years later 
he had full charge of the distribution of water. Mr. Martin had the supervision 
of the development work of this company for twenty-seven years. From 1886 to 
1890 he was county surveyor of Merced County. In 1911 he entered private 
practice but was retained as consulting engineer for the Crocker-Huffman 
Company. Mr. Martin is now occupying the position of city engineer for Merced; 
in this position his more than ordinary ability and experience find an ample 
outlet, and this locality is indeed fortunate in securing such an able man.
        The marriage of Mr. Martin united him with Miss Hallie Bost, born in 
California the daughter of John and Mary (Fitzhugh) Bost. Three children have 
blessed this union, viz.: Beatrice it; now Mrs. Allan B. Ruddle; Rosalind is the 
wife of Delwin Shumann; and Alan Bost, who entered the service of the United 
States and served during the World War, arriving at New York the day the 
armistice was signed. He married Isabelle Kerrick, of Stockton and they have one 
child, Kerrick Martin. Mr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Civil 
Engineers and belongs to the California Chapter of the Sons of the American 
Revolution. Politically he is a Republican.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 461-462