William Jefferson Martin (September 28, 1861 – June 30, 1941) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the California State Assembly from the 48th district between 1917 and 1921. He also served as the postmaster of Salinas, California, between 1920 and 1933.
William J. Martin | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 48th district | |
| In office January 8, 1917 – January 3, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Elliott Boyce |
| Succeeded by | Daniel McCloskey |
| Postmaster of Salinas | |
| In office May 10, 1920 – June 30, 1933 | |
| Nominated by | Woodrow Wilson |
| Preceded by | Clarence Tynan |
| Succeeded by | John Iverson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Jefferson Martin September 28, 1861 Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 30, 1941 (aged 79) Salinas, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Mollie Hamilton (died 1915)Bertha Marten (died 1936) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Salinas, California, U.S. |
Early life
editWilliam Jefferson Martin[1] was born on September 28, 1861,[2] in Monterey, California.[3] He was the second of six children born to Daniel C. Martin, a Great Plains native who moved to California during the Gold Rush, and Jane Nestor, an Irishwoman.[4]
Business career
editMartin became employed at the Western Union Telegraph Company at the age of 14. He served as the company's manager until he retired to become the business manager of The Morning Call in 1898.[3]
Political career
editFor the 1916 election for California's 48th State Assembly district, Martin received the nominations of the Republican, Democratic, and Progressive parties.[5] In response, Martin stated that although he did not wish to hold office, he would "do [his] best to get elected."[6] Martin was unopposed in the general election.[7][8] He was re-elected in 1918 and ran unopposed in both elections.[9][10]
On one of his first days in office, Martin introduced two bills, one that would adopt mandatory military training in California and another that would require the flag of the United States to fly over school buildings in California.[11] In 1919, Martin introduced resolutions urging the United States government to support an establishment of the League of Nations.[12] Later during the year, a bill of his that would extend the boundaries of Monterey was signed into law by governor William Stephens.[13]
While serving in the Assembly, Martin was nominated by Woodrow Wilson to become the postmaster of Salinas, California.[14][15] At the request of James Farley, the United States Postmaster General, Martin resigned in 1933.[16]
Personal life and death
editMartin first married Mollie Hamilton. Hamilton was the sister of Olive Steinbeck, the mother of American author John Steinbeck.[17] She died in 1915.[18] Martin's second and last marriage was to Bertha Marten.[19] They had two children together, William and Mildred;[2] the former was born on September 5, 1921, in Salinas.[20][21] Marten died in 1936.[19]
On June 30, 1941, Martin died at his home in Salinas.[2] His funeral was held three days later on July 3.[22]
References
edit- ^ "Rites Are Set For Former Newspaperman". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Associated Press. July 1, 1941. p. 20. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Former City Postmaster Succumbs". Salinas Morning Post. Salinas, California. July 1, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "William J. Martin, Will Become the Business Manager of the "Call."". The Sacramento Union. Sacramento, California. January 28, 1898. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Watkins, Rolin G.; Hoyle, Millard F. (1925). History of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, California: Biographical. Chicago, Illinois: The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. p. 329. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "W. J. Martin". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. November 1, 1916. p. 2. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "He is Capable and Honest: Fills Bill". Monterey Daily Cypress. Monterey, California. July 21, 1916. p. 2. Retrieved March 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Here is List of Nominees by Districts for Congress and All Other Offices Contested for in Tuesday's Primary". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. August 31, 1916. p. 13. Retrieved March 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Complete Returns of Monterey County". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. November 10, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislative Offices". Monterey Daily Cypress and Monterey American. Monterey, California. August 13, 1918. p. 6. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Liquor Amendments Voted Down Tuesday". Gonzales Tribune. Gonzales, California. November 7, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "Would Protect Flag". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. January 9, 1917. p. 3. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Military Drill Law". Los Angeles Evening Express. Los Angeles, California. Associated Press. December 11, 1916. p. 4. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- "170 Bills Are Introduced in the Assembly". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. January 12, 1917. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Compulsory Training". Fresno Morning Republican. Fresno, California. January 13, 1917. p. 3. Retrieved March 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Assembly Urged to Back Nations League". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, California. January 14, 1919. p. 3. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "That Monterey Harbor Bill is Signed". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. May 29, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved March 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Good Man Named Postmaster of Salinas". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. April 30, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Postmasters Are Honored on Anniversary Of Ben Franklin's Birth, Jan. 17". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. January 12, 1957. p. 18. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Martin Resigns Local Post After 13 Years At Request Of James Farley, Bourbon Boss". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. June 26, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved February 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Meyer, Michael; Railsback, Brian E., eds. (September 30, 2006). A John Steinbeck Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 142. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Funeral of Mrs. Wm. Martin Today". Monterey Daily Cypress. August 13, 1915. p. 3. Retrieved February 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Mrs. Bertha Martin Buried Here Tuesday". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. September 9, 1936. p. 10. Retrieved March 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vital Statistics—Born". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. September 6, 1921. p. 5. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Another High Stepper". The Salinas Californian. Salinas, California. September 6, 1921. p. 3. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Funeral Held For William J. Martin". Salinas Morning Post. Salinas, California. July 4, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.