John Alexander Martin (1839-1889) Letter (KC228)

Born in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1839, John Alexander Martin moved to Atchison, Atchison County, Kansas in 1858 where he purchased the Squatter Sovereign and changed its name to the Freedom's Champion.  Martin published this newspaper until his death.  (Later, the paper became the Atchison Champion).  Martin was a fervent Free-State man, and an enthusiastic Republican.  He served as a Republican delegate to Kansas state constitutional convention, 1859; was a member of Kansas state senate, 1859; a delegate to Republican National Convention from Kansas, 1860, 1868.  He was a general in the Union Army during the Civil War.  After the war he became mayor of Atchison, Kansas, 1865; and a member of Republican National Committee from Kansas, 1868-70, 1872; he served as Governor of Kansas from 1885 to 1889.

Martin remained loyal to his military comrades.  He was the first Department Commander of the G.A.R. in Kansas, and was always active in any service for the veterans. The Soldiers Orphans Home at Atchison was in a great measure due to his labors. In 1878, he was appointed on the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers' Homes.

John A. Martin died of pneumonia, in Atchison, Kansas on October 2, 1889.

Written by Governor John A. Martin (1885-1889), on official State of Kansas, Executive Department letterhead, this letter was addressed to Captain P.H. Cone[r].  It concerns a meeting to be held on September 23, 1885 of the Grant Monument Committee.  Martin, apparently supports the building of a monument, over the main entrance to the Capital grounds, which would honor the soldiers, sailors, and commanders of the great armies of the country.  1885.

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