JOHN
M. MARTIN, M. D.
— One of the best known citizens of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and
member of the state legislature, Dr. John M. Martin,
physician and surgeon, was born in Pennsylvania, on a farm in Lawrence
county, August 2, 1849. He is the son of James and
Sarah (Mills) Martin, the father being a native of Washington
township, Lawrence county, and the mother born in Pine township, Mercer
county, Pennsylvania, both being of Irish lineage. The father was a
successful and highly respected agriculturist, who spent his life in
Lawrence county and died at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife died
when fifty-two years old. By this union nine children were born, Dr.
John M. being the second in order of birth. He was reared to farm
labor and attended the early country schools, finishing his literary
education at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He then turned his attention to
the study of medicine, first under Dr. John
Hamilton, of Allegheny, as preceptor, and subsequently under Dr.
W. R. Hamilton, of Pittsburg, a brother of the former. Dr. Martin
then entered Bellevue Hospital (New York City) Medical College. from which
institution he graduated in 1874, immediately after which he located in
Grove City and entered upon the active practice of his chosen profession,
which has extended over a period of thirty-four successful years. Dr.
Martin is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society; also the State
Medical Society of Pennsylvania, as well as the American Medical
Association.
Politically, he has
always supported the men and measures of the Republican party. In 1895 he
was chosen as his party’s candidate for member of the lower house of
representatives and was successful in the election. So thoroughly
competent and reliable was he to every demand of his honorable
constituents that he was five times re-elected. Of sincere and honest
purpose, the Doctor is noted for taking positions in public affairs and
with courage holding the same. When the Spanish-American war broke out he
tendered his services professionally to the government and was appointed
assistant surgeon of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Regiment. For over thirty
years he has been surgeon for the Bessemer Railroad Company.
Aside from his
professional business interests, the Doctor is vice-president of the First
National Bank of Grove City, and also interested in the coal mining
industries, and other enterprises looking toward the development of Mercer
county and especially his home town. Dr. Martin was
united in marriage in 1876 to Miss Ada Black,
daughter of Robert G. Black, of Grove City,
Pennsylvania.
Twentieth
Century History of Mercer County,
1909, Vol. I, pages 516-517
