The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-21

preaching dissolution Of his advancing
years. when he would partially recover
sufficiently to give some attention to
his law practice and business adairs.
Within the past two weeks a decided
and permanent change for the worse
appeared in his condition, and he be.
can to sink rapidly from day to day
until the end came this morning,
when lie passed away quietly and peace.
fully, with his grief.stricken wife at his
bedside and surrounded by few near
relatives and friends.
His clear intellect remained un.
dimmed up to almost tho last moment.
On Friday and yesterday for each OF his
many friends who called he had kind
and parting word Of lasting farewell.
The funeral services will be held here
Wednesday morning. conducted by tho
Rcv. Mr.. Moore. OF the Methodist Epis.
copal church, and the same afternoon
the inlerment will take place ut Fair.
mont.
OF his immediate household, the de-
ceased leaves only his bereaved widow
to survive him. there having been no
children born unto them.
His death, although expected, has
caused great and profound sorrow in
this community, whore he has resided
for nearly half century and attained
an eminent distinction as ono OF its
most honorod, highly esteemed and use-
full citizens.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MARTENS CAREER.
Hon. B. F. Martin was born near
Pennington. Marion county, Va. jnow
West virginia., October ., 1928. His
father, Jesse b. Martin, was among the
carly settlers OF Buffalo Creek, then in
Harrison county, where he devoted
himself to tho business OF farming.
The subject OF this sketch was brought
up as tiller OF tho soil. dcvoting the
frs; twenty-one years OF his lilo TO that
honest vocation. lIo had but limited
school advantages in his early life. but
soon after he reached his majority he
matricula,cd rs n student OF Allegheny
college, Meadvillc. Pa, from which he
graduated, with his first honors, rs n
bachelor OF arts, in June, 1854. After
graduation at college, he returned to
Marion county aud taught school
eighteen months In Fairmont, during
which time he studied law. Ilo was
admitted to tho bar aud commenced
practice in March, 1856, locating tho
following November ut Pruntytown,
then the seat Of justice OF Taylor coun-
ty, whero he remained until fow years
ago. Whom Grafton was made tho
county seat, ho moved his office to Graf
ton, where ho has since resided.
For many ycars Mr.. Martin devoted
his undivided enorgics 10 tho practice
OF his profession, and as n reward for
his toll became 4 distinguished lawyer.
For quarter OF n century ho had been
leading member OF tho bar OF his
adopted county.
Ofton collected to become 4 candidate
for Office. Mr.. Martin wisely refused
until hc had established himself rs an
attorney OF promise and with Il roputa-
ton fully made. Whom tho Democratic
party cnmo. into power in West Nir.
ginia i'll 1871, it was decided by them
that II now constitution ahould DO
framed. 4 convention was accordingly
called for that purpose in 1877. and Mr..
Martin was chosen n delegate from
Taylor county. being good lawyer
and superior dabatcr ho took high
rank in tho convention. and was one Of
its most usoful and nctivo members.
The samo year (lS72) he was n delegate
to tho national Democratic convention
that mot in baltimore. Mr.. Martin on.
posed tho nomination Of Horace Greely,
but in tho campaign that followed he
gave him active and earnost support.
IN CONGRESS.
In the inll OF 1872 no was n candidate
for Congress for tho Second district on
tho Democratic ticket. Tho now con.
stitution was adopted at II special olcc.
ton. August %. Of that year. Hon. j.
NJ. llagans was voted for as Il member
OF Congress that day. receiving 3.44l
votes Mr.. Martin did not nlow him.
sclf to be votod for Mt that time, but an.
poared rs tho regular candidate OF his
party at tho October election, receiving
5,00S votes. On the same day, j. Nelson