Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-20
DEATH ENDS LIFE OF FORMER
GENERAL MANAGER OF
CENTRAL.
WAS WELL KNOWN HERE
WHERE HE ONCE LIVED
Was at thet Head Of Central for Five
Years, From 1894 to 1sse-Had Been
Prominent in Iowa Railroad and Po-
liticaI circIes-Was Member of
Boies' Staff.

Col. L. NJ. Martin, former general
manager of the Iowa Central, and very
well-knowni in this city during his resi-
dence here OF five years, while at the
head OF the road. died in Chicago Sat
urday afternoon. The word received in
this city. Which brought the news did
not give the cause of his death, or the
length OF his sickness.
Colonel Martin came TO this city as
general manager of the Iowa Central
July l, 1894. continued at the head
Of the road until in September 1899. He
was well known in Iowa railroad and
political circles, he having been dem
ocrat and at one time a member of Gov
ernor Boise's staff His son, George NJ.
Martin, district passenger agent OF the
Iowa Central, who lives in Oskaloos, is
known in this city, which he frequently
visits.
Began Ralroadins in 1873.
Colonel Martin began his railroad
career as agent for the old Des Moines
Valley road al Comsrock, Wapello
county. in 1873 He remained there only
a short time. being transferred to Bea-
con in the fail OF the year. He re-
manned in Beacon until November,
1874. whene he was trans ferred TO Pelia
as telegraph operator and clerk. There
he remained for nearly three years an &
was then removed to Dies MONIES as
chief clerk OF the old Des Moines Val
ley Com pany's offices.
In 1877 the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific railroad leased the keokuk
road. AIr. Martin was al once made
agent OF the Dies Moines and keokuk
division OF the line, a position which he
held until October. 1872. He then re-
signed and accepted the position OF
general agent st Boone Of the St. Louis,
Des MONIES & Northern railroad. Mr.
Martin returned TO Dies Moines in 1888
where he filed the position of freight
and ticket agent OF the Wabash until
October, 1887. when he became super
intendent and general freight agent of
the St. Louis. Des Moines & Northern
and also commercial agent for the
Wabash, controlling and managing the
freight business of the latter road
turnout the state.
Becomes General Manager.
In October, 1889, the St. Louis. Des
Moines & Northern railroad was sold
TO the Des Moines & Northern. of
which company and road Mr.. Martin
became the general manager. 1t was
not long after the widening Of the
gauge Of the Des Moines & Northern
that Colonel Martin began negotiations
with the Des Moines q North vest r n
Railroad Company looking toward a
consolidation of the two lines The
latter was still a narrow gauge. The
managers, seeing the enormous benefits
accruing because of the widened gauge
OF the Des Moines & Northern and the
effective working Of the traffic agree
ment with the Milwaukee. looked on
the scheme with favor. In January.
1892, the roads were consolidated as
the Des Moines. Northern & Western
railroad, Colonel Martin being made
general manager of the property When
it became THE property of the AIilwau-
kee Colonel Martin retired and became
general manager OF the Iowa Central.
He was married in 1878, but Mrs.
Martin died several years ago. For a
number of years Colonel Martin has
been living in Chicago. He was 55
wears of age