Benjamin F. Martin
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Franklin Martin (October 2, 1828 – January 20, 1895) was a nineteenth century politician, lawyer and teacher from Virginia
and West Virginia
.
Born near Farmington, Virginia
(now West Virginia
), Martin graduated from Allegheny College
in Meadville, Pennsylvania
in 1854 and taught school in Fairmont, Virginia
(now West Virginia
). He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in March, 1856. He moved to Pruntytown, Virginia
(now West Virginia
) in 1856 and was a member of the West Virginia Constitutional Convention
in 1872 and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in 1872 and 1888. Martin was elected a Democrat
to the United States House of Representatives
in 1876, serving from 1877 to 1881, unsuccessful for renomination in 1880. He resumed practicing law in Grafton, West Virginia
until his death there on January 20, 1895. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, West Virginia
.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
Born near Farmington, Virginia
Farmington, West Virginia
Farmington is a town in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census. It is best known for being the site of the 1968 Farmington Mine disaster.-Geography:...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
), Martin graduated from Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
in Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
in 1854 and taught school in Fairmont, Virginia
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
). He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in March, 1856. He moved to Pruntytown, Virginia
Pruntytown, West Virginia
Pruntytown is an unincorporated town at the junction of the Northwestern Turnpike and U.S. Route 250 in Taylor County, West Virginia. It is the site of the Pruntytown Correctional Center, formerly known as the West Virginia Industrial School for Boys.- External links :**...
(now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
) in 1856 and was a member of the West Virginia Constitutional Convention
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
in 1872 and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1872 and 1888. Martin was elected a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1876, serving from 1877 to 1881, unsuccessful for renomination in 1880. He resumed practicing law in Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton is a city in, and county seat of, Taylor County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's...
until his death there on January 20, 1895. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
.
External links
- Benjamin F. Martin at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...