DR. MARION T. MARTIN, a physician of Woodburn, Clarke
County, is a native of Hancock County, Illinois, born July 10,1840; a son of
Dr. John and Philanda (Couch) Martin, the former a native of Tennessee and the
latter born in Meigs County, Ohio. Both parents are yet living, residents of
Jamesport, Davis County, Missouri, were the father is still engaged in the
practice of medicine. When five years of
age our subject was taken by his parents to Sullivan County, Missouri, where he
lived till 1864, receiving his primary education in the schools of that region.
At the age of eighteen years he began the study of medicine in his father’s
office where he remained some time. August
17, 1861, he enlisted in Company A., Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, the first
engagement in which his regiment participated being the battle of Shiloh, where
they were taken prisoners. The Doctor was first taken to Montgomery, Alabama,
remaining there six weeks, when he was placed under parole and taken to
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and from there to Macon, Georgia, where he remained
till October 9, 1862. He was then sent North by way of Richmond, and exchanged.
While at Macon the Doctor and three others escaped from their prison and took
to the woods, but were finally recaptured at the end of nine days, and for
punishment they were staked to the ground two hours at a time. After his
exchange the Doctor was taken to Washington, where he was in Emory Hospital ten
days, then taken to Camp Parole, Alexandria, where he was discharged on account
of disability, December 7, 1862, and arrived home December 21, 1862. He again studied medicine with his father in
Sullivan County, Missouri, and afterward assisted him in his practice,
remaining in that locality till December 28, 1864. He then went to Last Chance,
Lucas County, Iowa, before that place was organized, remaining there till
January 19, 1875, when he came to Woodburn, Clarke County, and has since been
engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, building up a large and
lucrative practice. Doctor Martin was
married January 19, 1860, to Miss Hannah J. Stout, a native of Washington
County, Indiana, and a daughter of Benjamin H. and Sallie (Ruberson) Stout.
Eight children have been born to this union – Elmina R., Harriet E. Russia F.,
Cortez Prentiss, Stephen L., Lilly (deceased), Della E., Charlie B. In 1873 while a resident of Last Chance, the
Doctor was appointed postmaster of that village, and at the same time engaged
in the mercantile business, which he followed for three years when he failed in
business, owing to the panic, and lost the savings of his life. Since coming
here he has taken an active interest in the advancement of this place, and was
one of the commissioners through whose influence the town was incorporated. He
has been a member of the city council since its incorporation and was president
of the coal-mining company of Woodburn during the year 1883. He is also holding
the office of mayor at the present time. He is a member of Unity Lodge, No.
212, A.F. & A.M., of Woodburn, of which he is senior warden, and is also
surgeon of the Davenport Post, No. 385, G.A.R., of the same place. He and his
wife and two of their children, a son and daughter, are members of the
Christian church.
SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke
County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 247-8
