John Martin (businessman)

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For other persons named John Martin, see John Martin.
John Martin

Born August 18, 1820
Peacham, Vermont, USA
Died 1905
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Occupation Steamboat captain, businessperson, lumberman, miller

John Martin (August 18, 1820–?) of Peacham, Vermont was an American steamboat captain and businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota involved in lumber and flour milling.[1] In 1891, Martin led a merger of six mills to create Northwestern Consolidated Milling Company, at the time the world's second largest flour milling company after Pillsbury-Washburn. Later in life he provided primary funding and major impetus(along with his daughter Jean) for the founding of the Children's Home Society of Minnesota.

Martin was married to Miss Jane B. Gilfillan, sister of Representative John Bachop Gilfillan of Minnesota.

They had one child, Jean (Martin) Brown. Jean Martin's son (John Martin's grandson) was Earle Brown, noted Hennepin County Sheriff (1920), founder of the Minnesota State Highway Patrol (1929), and Republican gubernatorial candidate for Minnesota (1932).

John Martin is buried in the Martin-Gilfillan family plot with his wife Jane, daughter Jean, and grandson Earle at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

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