Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/319

 \]RG1XIA BIOGRAPHY

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He was a member of the N'irginia legislature in 1859-60 and was also at one time one of the presiding justices of the Norfolk county court. He served in the Confederate army. He married Bettie L., daughter of Thomas r>. and Love (Old) Gresham and had issue: Alvah H.. of whom further; Maud; George Gresham. of whom further.

Alvah H. Alartin, son of Colonel James Green and Bettie L. (Gresham) Martin, was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, Septem- ber 20. 1858. and obtained his early educa- tion under the direction of private tutors and in the public schools. After complet- ing a course in the Webster Institute, he studied law under the preceptorship of his father, and in 1880 undertook the duties of county clerk, aj^jjointed to fill out an unex- pired term. In May. 1S81, the six months for- which he was appointed having elapsed, he was elected to the same office for the full term, and. through repeated reelection, has since that time held the position of county clerk. His record is one of thirty- three years of continued service, during which time his name has become almost in- separably connected with the office, and which period has witnessed his efficient, accurate, and faithful discharge of his duties. Norfolk county numbers few on her list of servants whose length of service compares with his and none who surpasses him in all that is desirable in a public officer.

-\Ir. Alartin's connection with the county administration is but a small part of his activity, for in Inisiness and financial circles he is well known, holding the presidency of the [Merchants' and Planters' Bank, the Chesapeake Building Association, the Cape Henry Syndicate, the Glencoe Land Com- pany, and the Martin Corporation, and is a director of the National Bank of Commerce and interested in many other corporations. He is a member of the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce, and at the close of the Jamestown Exposition. 1907, he was director-general of its organization, having labored zealously and constantly in its pre- arrangement and management. It was a notable fact that during his incumbency of the position of director-general, the exposi- tion was a financial success. His other busi- ness connections are numerous, and he is a large property owner in Norfolk county. Princess Anne county, and other sections, and is the owner of valuable coal lands in

West X'irginia. He has recently erected in the city of Norfolk one of its finest business places located on Granby street, known as the "Martin Building." He is a member of the Country Club and is president of the Ragged Island Gunning Club. Mr. Martin is an ardent sportsman, and as president of the Ragged Island Gunning Club is chief executive of one of the most popular and best located organizations in the state, also being one of its most enthusiastic members and an excellent shot. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the ]\Iasonic Order, and he is a member of Elizabeth Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Norfolk Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. In politics a Repub- lican, he is a member of the national execu- tive committee and it was through his influ- ence with President Taft that the port of Norfolk was made the port of entry for the state of \'irginia, after an adverse report of the treasury department had been made. He also had the order discontinuing the fir- ing of the nine o'clock gun at the Norfolk navy-yard revoked, after all other efforts in that behalf had failed. The councils of Norfolk and Portsmouth passed resolutions in recognition of this and which met the approbation of the entire community. Mr. Martin was also the pioneer of the good roads mo\'ement in Norfolk county, and was the chairman of the first commission for permanent road improvement in this county. He is a communicant of the Epworth Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

A gentleman of wide and varied interests, Mr. Martin's easy versatility makes him equally in his proper element in a gathering of sportsmen, financiers, politicians, or busi- ness men, and whatever the occasion he is fitted and prepared to speak with authority or to act with capability. It is the catho- licit}^ of his tastes that has gained him such a wide acquaintance and such a vast number of friends, who recognize the worth and merit of the man however they may be asso- ciated with him.

]\Ir. Martin married. January 6, 1881, Mary E. 1 illey, daughter of E. \l. and Eliza A. (Hare) Tilley. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. Children: i. Fay. married, Oc- tober 28. 1909, S. L. Slover. 2. Mabel. 3. James Green, graduate of \'. M. I. school and Universit}- of A'irginia law department, class of 191 1 ; admitted to the bar the same year, passing examination with highest