Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-11-09
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liz NO m0RK.
Was city Councilman and Jnsticc or the
Peace at the Time OF his DEATH
A History OF ais Life

Wendal Martin, a man prominent In
public life and highly respected by
all his fellow citizens, passed away
at his home on East stephen street
Wednesday evening a five O'Clock,
agedE6s years.
2Sth of October last with chills and
fever. His illness developed into
pneumonia. which cansed him TO
rapidly decline. Although delirious
at times, he was conscious up until
the time he breathed his last and he
passed into the great world beyond
happy and contented, not afraid to
meet the hereafter. When his illness
became so serious that his life was
despaired of he, stated that he was
ready and willing to go and expressed
it as his wish that he would go
After bidding farewell to his earthly
home he gave goodbye to all the
family who were at his bbedsdie and
was no more.
The loss of no man in the COM
munity caused more expressions OF
regret than did the death of John w
Martin.
Everywhere is heard the expression
"A good man gone. He was kind,
public-spirlted and too generous often
times for his own good. He was good
to the poor, liberal to the church and
above all was conscientious, no matter
what wrath his actions would pro-
woke, he would do nothing that he
thought was not right.
John Wendal Martin was born in
Shippensburg. Pa, May %, 1888.
His father was farmer and this was
the occupation that he followed until
be was thirtytwo years of age. He
received limited education in the
young man. In the year 1856 Mr..
Martin came to Martinsburg and was
engaged in farming here until 1872,
when he entered the EMPLOY OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany as fireman. He very soon be-
came thoroughly familiar with loco
motive and was made an engineer,
which ayocation he followed for fif-
teen years. and then resigned.
Mr. Martins high christian char
acter and his devotion to what he
thought was right. regardless OF con-
sequences. was never more STRONGLY
exemplified than when he resigned
this paving position on the railroad,
chiefly because. as he often stated, he
was compelled to break the Sabbath
by working on Sunday.
Soon after Mr.. Martin resigned his
position on the railroad he was nomi-
pated for the Office of constable and
was elected. After serving term as
constable he was elected justice of
the peace and was reelected in the
year 1900. The high esteem in which
the deceased was held by his fellow
citizens was clearly shown by the
number of times be was elected to
public office. Nine times he was a
successful candidate for various
offices in the county. Besides serving
as magistrate and constable he served
two terms in the City School Board
and Mt the time of his death was
serving his fourth term in the City
Council He was recognized in the
community as conscientious AND
faithful officer in the performance of
his duties.
MIR. Martin was n steward and
trustee of the First Methodist church
and devoted much of his time to
church work.
He was also member of Robert
White Lodge No. Ga, A. +. and A..
Nj.
The deceaed was twice married.
BY his first wife, who was Miss
Anna Mckee, of Franklin county,
Pa. he had six children. five of whom
survive, viz:
Mrs Sadie A. Thomps on, Coketon,
W. Va. Mrs. Martha q. Bentzel, Mrs
Elva M. Fetzer, Martinsburg ;Charles
p. Martin, of Brunswick and CALVIN
NJ Martin. of this city. BY his second
wife, who was Mrs. Susan Y. Peters,
three children survive him-Walter Q.
Albert B, and George A. Martin, all
at home.
One sister and one brother, Mrs.
Sarah CHM niger and j. VIM. Martin,
of Shipper Durg., Pa, survive him.
w. X. PALMER.
Mr.. William K. Palmer died We'd
nesday at Gas O'Clock, at his home
on n Church street, of consumption.
He was aged 68 years. He leaves a