J. E. Martin, a prominent merchant in Faulkner County, Arkansas, settled in his current location in 1875. Born in January 1840 in White County, Tennessee, Martin was the fourth of nine children of Daniel and Rebecca (English) Martin. His family moved to Arkansas in 1848, settling initially in Van Buren County. Martin began his commercial career in 1871 and moved to Conway in 1875. A Democratic politician, he served as Faulkner County’s first sheriff in 1874 and later in the legislature. Martin married twice and had nine children. He was an active participant in the Civil War and community development until his death.
J. E. Martin, a leading dealer in general merchandise of Faulkner County, first came to his present location in 1875. He was born in White County, Tenn., in January 1840, and was the fourth child in a family of nine born to Daniel and Rebecca (English) Martin of the same state. The father was a prominent planter in Tennessee who left that state with his family in 1848 and settled in Van Buren County, Ark., being one of the pioneers of that section. He there entered land which he improved and cultivated until the year 1851, when he came to what is now Faulkner County, where he purchased a large farm upon which he resided until his death in 1888, his devoted wife having preceded him during the war. The father was a well-known politician during his life and a man of considerable influence with the Democratic party in his locality.
J. E. Martin was reared on a plantation and instructed in the duties of farm life. He received his education in the schools of Van Buren and Faulkner Counties and also at Quitman, and immediately after finishing his studies, he turned his attention to farming on his own account. His first venture was to purchase a tract of land which he improved and cultivated, and he added to it on different occasions as his prosperity increased, until at the present time he owns about 2,000 acres, with 400 under cultivation. He first started in commercial life in the year 1871 at Greenbrier, and continued at that until his removal to Conway, where he has resided and carried on business since 1875. He now owns two good brick business homes and has established a large patronage, keeping a stock of goods and supplies that would beggar description as to their variety. His stock in every line is always of the best, and he has earned an enviable reputation throughout that section for his honest methods of doing business.
He takes an active part in politics and votes the Democratic ticket, and as a testimonial of their regard, his party elected him sheriff of the county in 1874, being the first man to hold that office in Faulkner County. In 1876, he was re-elected and also served one term in the legislature the same year. In 1878, he was offered the nomination for State senator but declined on account of his rapidly increasing business interests. He was again elected to the legislature in 1888, and is at present a member of that body and fills the position in a highly credible manner. He was for several terms a member of the town council and also served on the school board. In secret orders, he is a member of Green Grove Lodge No. 107, in high standing.
Mr. Martin was married in Faulkner County in the year 1859 to Miss Hettie Kerr, of Tennessee, by whom he had two children: Mary Alice (now Mrs. Griffing, who resides in Conway) and Effie (now Mrs. L. C. Lincoln, of the same town). He lost his excellent wife in 1865, and in 1866 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Kerr, of Tennessee, by whom he had seven children: William Hampton (who is in partnership with his father), Jessie (now Mrs. Canada, of Conway), Rosa Lee, Artie, Merrill, Bessie, and Eugene.
During the war, Mr. Martin enlisted in 1861, in Company A, McRae’s regiment, and soon after was taken seriously ill and was forced to return home. He subsequently joined Col. Newton’s regiment after his recovery, in which he served until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Cape Girardeau, and a number of others. Mr. Martin took quite an active part in the organization of Faulkner County, and has watched its growth and progress with deep interest. He is liberal in his aid to all worthy enterprises and his personal worth has made him one of the most popular citizens in his community. Mrs. Martin, who was a devoted wife and mother, died in January 1889.