Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan

 

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shoot, originating in the Scottish county of Dumfries, took no insignificant part in Ontario development, and then sent its younger branches adventuring into the new West.

You cannot touch upon the annals of Mount Forest, of Wellington county, without finding a Martin of the older generation, nor can you study Saskatchewan development without learning something more of the younger members of this indomitable breed. There have been municipal councillors, local legislators, and at least one Provincial Premier amongst them, not to speak of ministers, doctors, lawyers and men of important business affairs. And they are still spreading out, so that if the explorer Steffanson accomplishes his dream and opens up a new country of promise and opportunity within the Arctic Circle, we may expect to find a Martin amongst the first of the Argonauts establishing a Presbyterian Church and a Liberal Association amongst the benighted aborigines of the Polar regions.

 

John D. Martin was born in Mount Forest, in Ontario, in 1882, the son of Thomas Martin, who was long the Federal representative of North Wellington in the Commons. His mother was Jean Henderson, and he was one of a family of eight. His father was for many years engaged in the milling business at Mount Forest, and at the time of the South African war handled practically all the oats that were used by the horses of the Canadian troopers. He was progressive and enterprising, and at that time owned the only modern, up-to-date appliances for economical treatment of the cereal which is used so extensively by Scotchmen and horses. J. D. Martin was educated at Mount Forest public and high schools, and. while still a very young man decided to follow westward in the footsteps of numerous uncles, and cousins and aunts. Accordingly, in 1906, he arrived in Regina; where he entered the law office of Balfour, Martin & Casey. He

 

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Pioneers and Prominent People of Saskatchewan