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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 515]

  ELMER E. MARTIN, proprietor of the furniture and undertaking
  establishment of Marcus, Iowa, was born in Ogle County, Illinois, January
  13, 1862, and is the son of Moses D. and Burella J. (Paddock) Martin. The
  father was born in Canada, and the mother was a native of Indiana. When
  Elmer was an infant they removed to Lee County, Illinois, and there he
  passed his early life, attending the graded schools of Ashton. At the age
  of sixteen years he decided to try his fortunes away from home and among
  strangers. Accordingly he went to Chicago to make the start. When he
  arrived there he had seven cents cash capital, but what is sometimes
  better, plenty of grit. Before he had been there two hours he had secured
  a position in Rockford, Illinois. He was first engaged in a cracker
  factory, then in a drug store, then as a clerk in a crockery store, where
  he remained several months. He then returned to the drug business, which
  he followed until he came to Iowa. In 1876 the family removed to
  Winnebago County, Illinois, and the parents still reside there. The year
  1883 was spent in the Normal School at Dixon, Illinois, by our subject,
  and in the spring of 1882 he came to Iowa, locating in Marcus Township,
  Cherokee County. He was employed on the farm of his grandfather, Riley
  Paddock. Mr. Paddock was a large real-estate owner, and his death
  occurred in 1886. Mr. Martin was engaged by the month the first year, and
  the second year he rented the farm with one of his brothers. The next
  year his father joined him and remained two years, after which he farmed
  alone for three years. In Marcy, 1888, Mr. Martin disposed of his farming
  interests and came to Marcus; there he purchased the furniture stock of
  I. C. Thompson, which was valued at $1,900. He has increased it to
  $3,000, and carries a full line of choice goods. He has exclusive control
  of the undertaking business and is well prepared to meet and demands in
  that direction. He is a live, energetic young man, and forms a profitable
  acquisition to the business circles of Marcus. Politically he is a stanch
  Republican, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his party. He
  is a member of the A.O.U.W., occupying the chair of foreman, which is
  next to the highest position in the order; he is also a member of the
  Modern Woodmen. Mr. Martin was married October 2, 1884, to Miss Cora N.
  Over, a daughter of Levi and Ann L. Over. Mrs. Martin was born in the
  State of Pennsylvania, November 24, 1861. They are the parents of two
  children: Dale and Gladys.

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