The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-01-15
COL. MATT MARTIN.

Ripe in years and full of hOnors,
| Col. Matt Martin died on the eleventh
at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr..
A. F. Sowell, near this city, in his
S0th year. The funeral was held at
Zion Church, Wednesday at II
O'Clock A. NJ. conducted by Rev. r
NJ. Kennedy. Interment in Rose
| Hill Cemetery.
Col. Martins life was a long and
vigorous and useful one, and connects
the present with the eventful times
of the past. In his viens ran the
! blood of men who have made the
country great. His mother was a
cousin of Henry Clay, and his pater-
nal grandmother was a cousin of
| Chief Justice Marshall, of United
States Supreme COnrt. He was born
in Bedford County, this state, on
June IS, 1872; the day Congress de-
clared war against Great Britain. He
married early, and the first years of
his married life was devoted to farm
ing. While thus engaged he gave
his spare time TO the study of law,
and in 1851 opened an Office in Shell
byville, where he practiced with great
success until 1861. He was an orator
of pronounced ability, fine Judge Of
human nature and adroit in hand
ling facts. His force as a speaker
made him always prominent befOl the
people, but his love for his profession
was stronger than his ambition for
public preferment, and he more than
once refused the tempting offers of
his party nomination. Before the
war he was u Wing, but true to his
state when it seeded he regretfully
went out with his people, following
the impulse of his heart more than
-. "A - 4. T.,
June 1861, ue e; d g. 81 upon TO COM
mand the Err win Guards" as their
Captain, but D few days thereafter
was elected Colonel of the Twenty
Third Tennessee volunteer infantry,
Shortly after he was elected Mai
General of the third division of the
Tennessee troops. He took part in the
battles of Shiloh and Pittsburg Land
ing, and received seven wounds. In
the subsequent struggle of the Con-
federacy, Gen. Martin filled various
positions Of honor and responsibility.
He remained with the 23rd Tonnes
see until after the battle of Chicka-
manga, the remainder of the time,
upon Gen. Clanton's request, he was
with him.
Gen. Martin was first married in
Maury County, Tennessee, in Sep.
TENDER 1885, to Miss Sarah Williams.
To this union there were born nine
only three of whom now
live. To-wit: Mrs. VIM. J. Arm
strong and Mrs. A. F. Sowell, of this
county, and Marshall A. Martin,
Esq, of Burnett Texas.
His second wife was Miss Elizabeth
d. Martin, his second cousin, whom
he married in March 1865 in Mont !
gOmery, Ala.
He was brother of Hon. Barclay
Martin, who for several terms was a |
Legislature and Congress- |
man from this district. Hon. Barclay |
Martin was q prominent Democrat |
before the war, and Gen. Matt Mar
tin being prominent Wing, and both |
having state reputation as eloquent |
aud strong debators, the two great /
parties of those days made repeated
efforts to pit the one against the 9TH
sr; but their brotherly love was so
strong and they guarded it so ten
ierly and jealousy, they would never
consent to meet in joint debate.
Gen. Martins service to his people
n times of peace was as great as his
service to his country in times of war.
One of the noblest acts of his life was
lfter the war between the states,
when he made it a rule of his practice
rot to take a fee either from a Con-
ederate or q Federal soldier, when
Lrrayed against each other for IiuTies
Turing the war. He took the ground
hat these suits would open woundsi
hat should be given time to heal, and
q this way settled many q difficulty
nd did great public service. He!
ras q man among men In his day.
strong courage, public .spirlti hrin u