With the mastery of two trades at his command, besides his practical experience as a farmer and a traveling salesman, Fred L. Martin, mayor of the city of Rome, Oneida county, New York, may be said to be unusually well equipped to discharge the duties of his responsible position. This in part accounts for the satisfaction his administration is giving the residents of the Mohawk Valley municipality. He was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, on May 30, 1874, and has passed practically his entire life in the city and county. His parents were Leander and Sarah E. (Weiser) Martin, the father a native of Euphrates and the mother a native of Trenton, both in New York state. Leander Martin moved to Oneida county about 1860, and served in the Civil war in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment, Fifth Oneida, Second Division, from which he was discharged as first sergeant and afterward was breveted lieutenant. He served an apprenticeship and learned the trade of a currier, an occupation which he followed for a short time, and then engaged in farming until he retired in 1907 and moved to Rome, where he died in 1915. The mother died in 1890. Leander Martin was always interested in politics, but would never accept any office. He and his wife were the parents of two sons and one daughter, Fred L. being the youngest child.
The education of Fred L. Martin was obtained in the district schools of Oneida county and by home study. After completing his education he started farming with his father and continued thus until he was married, after which he farmed by himself for four years. In 1898 Mr. Martin moved to Rome and learned the trade of a tinsmith, working at the trade four years, and then formed a partnership known as McQuaid & Martin, which was dissolved after four years. Mr. Martin was then on the road as a traveling salesman for a number of years, after which he learned the trade of a barber and established his own shop in Rome. He is a republican and has always been active in politics, for six years serving as supervisor of the sixth ward of Rome, for three of the six years being chairman of the board. Mr. Martin was elected mayor in 1923 and assumed office on January 1, 1924. During the World war he was in the draft but was not called for service. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, is a York Rite Mason, and has held presiding offices in the York Rite. He is also a Noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and in religion is a member of the Baptist church.
On August 8, 1894, in Westmoreland, Oneida county, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Matie C. Brower, daughter of Willard and Evelyn (Worder) Brower, natives of New York state and members of an old family in the Mohawk Valley. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have three children, namely: Leander W., who married Miss Willemena Peak, and who served overseas during the World war; John H., who married Miss Marjorie Fox; and Fred Harrold.