MARTIN, John R., Beeville Weekly Picayune, 8 Jan 1897, page 5:

DIED. - Mr. John R. Martin, a highly respected citizen of this county, died at his home, 
three miles west of Beeville, last Sunday morning, the 3d inst., after a brief attack of 
paralysis.

Mr. Martin was about 63 years of age and has been a resident of Texas over thirty years. 
He was born in Franklin County, Tenn. Moved from there in an early day to Arkansas, 
and some years later came to Texas. When the Western Union Telegraph Company 
commenced operations in this State, he entered their service, and assisted in constructing 
their line from Old Indianola to Brownsville via St. Mary's and Corpus Christi. When the line 
was completed he took the station of St. Mary's and worked the keys of that office several 
years, moving from there to Beeville about eight years ago, when he embarked in the drug 
business, from which vocation he only retired a few months ago, having sold his business 
and retired to his country home. 

He was twice married, the result of his first marriage being a son who is now about 21 years 
of age. His second marriage was to Miss Alice Kennedy about sixteen years ago, the result 
of the second marriage being two sons.

Mr. Martin was one of nature's noblemen. Kind and forgiving and always courteous and 
pleasant to every one. If he had an enemy he never spoke of him, but was ever loyal and 
true to his friends. At the time of his death he was a director in the Commercial National bank 
of this place and had accumulated quite a nice property.