William J. Martin Explained

William J. Martin
State Assembly:California
District:48th
Predecessor:Arthur Elliott Boyce
Successor:Daniel McCloskey
Office1:Postmaster of Salinas
Nominator1:Woodrow Wilson
Predecessor1:Clarence Tynan
Successor1:John Iverson
Birth Name:William Jefferson Martin
Birth Date:28 September 1861
Birth Place:Monterey, California, U.S.
Death Place:Salinas, California, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:
    Children:2
    Residence:Salinas, California, U.S.

    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.

    Early life

    William 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

    Martin 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.

    Political career

    For 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

    Martin 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; the former was born on September 5, 1921, in Salinas.[20] [21] Marten died in 1936.

    On June 30, 1941, Martin died at his home in Salinas. His funeral was held three days later on July 3.[22]

    Notes and References

    1. News: Rites Are Set For Former Newspaperman . February 4, 2024 . . . July 1, 1941 . Sacramento, California . 20 . Newspapers.com.
    2. News: Former City Postmaster Succumbs . February 4, 2024 . Salinas Morning Post . July 1, 1941 . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    3. News: William J. Martin, Will Become the Business Manager of the "Call." . March 20, 2024 . . January 28, 1898 . Sacramento, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    4. Book: Watkins, Rolin G. . History of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties, California: Biographical . Hoyle . Millard F. . 1925 . The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. . Chicago, Illinois . 329 . February 4, 2024.
    5. News: W. J. Martin . March 23, 2024 . . November 1, 1916 . Salinas, California . 2 . Newspapers.com.
    6. News: He is Capable and Honest: Fills Bill . March 24, 2024 . Monterey Daily Cypress . July 21, 1916 . Monterey, California . 2 . Newspapers.com.
    7. News: Here is List of Nominees by Districts for Congress and All Other Offices Contested for in Tuesday's Primary . March 20, 2024 . . August 31, 1916 . Sacramento, California . 13 . Newspapers.com.
    8. News: Complete Returns of Monterey County . March 23, 2024 . . November 10, 1916 . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    9. News: Legislative Offices . February 4, 2024 . Monterey Daily Cypress and Monterey American . August 13, 1918 . Monterey, California . 6 . Newspapers.com.
    10. News: Liquor Amendments Voted Down Tuesday . March 23, 2024 . . November 7, 1918 . Gonzales, California . 1.
    11. Multiple sources:
    12. News: Assembly Urged to Back Nations League . February 4, 2024 . . January 14, 1919 . San Francisco, California . 3 . Newspapers.com.
    13. News: That Monterey Harbor Bill is Signed . March 24, 2024 . . May 29, 1919 . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    14. News: Good Man Named Postmaster of Salinas . February 4, 2024 . . April 30, 1920 . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    15. News: January 12, 1957 . Postmasters Are Honored on Anniversary Of Ben Franklin's Birth, Jan. 17 . February 4, 2024 . . Salinas, California . 18 . Newspapers.com.
    16. News: June 26, 1933 . Martin Resigns Local Post After 13 Years At Request Of James Farley, Bourbon Boss . February 4, 2024 . . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.
    17. Book: Meyer . Michael . Railsback . Brian E. . A John Steinbeck Encyclopedia . September 30, 2006 . Bloomsbury Publishing . 142 . March 20, 2024.
    18. News: Funeral of Mrs. Wm. Martin Today . February 24, 2024 . Monterey Daily Cypress . August 13, 1915 . 3 . Newspapers.com.
    19. News: Mrs. Bertha Martin Buried Here Tuesday . March 22, 2024 . . September 9, 1936 . Salinas, California . 10 . Newspapers.com.
    20. News: Vital Statistics—Born . March 23, 2024 . . September 6, 1921 . Salinas, California . 5 . Newspapers.com.
    21. News: Another High Stepper . March 23, 2024 . . September 6, 1921 . Salinas, California . 3 . Newspapers.com.
    22. News: Funeral Held For William J. Martin . March 23, 2024 . Salinas Morning Post . July 4, 1941 . Salinas, California . 1 . Newspapers.com.

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