Person Record
Images
Metadata
Name |
Martin, Francis D. |
Othernames |
Francis D. "Marty" Martin |
Born |
9/19/1893 |
Birthplace |
West Park, NY |
Places of residence |
West Park, NY Ridgefield, CT |
Father |
Jules Louis Samuel Martin |
Mother |
Franceska (Veit) Martin |
Education |
Attended kindergarten and school on Bailey Avenue in Ridgefield, CT. Attended Norwalk High School where he was a star athlete, but left to attend the Philadelphia College of Horology and Optics to pursue a vocation as a watchmaker. |
Notes |
Martin's activities and benefactions made him known as "Mr. Ridgefield". Martin came to Ridgefield as a small boy when his father was named superintendent of the Doubleday estate. Martin was a star athlete in high school, after which he played with the Ridgefield basketball and baseball teams. Due to his prowess as a pitcher he was invited to join semi-pro teams in Stamford and Bridgeport. He was offered a pitching contract for the Chicago White Sox but he turned it down because his wedding was two weeks off. |
Occupation |
Philanthropist, businessman, church and civic leader. Martin developed his watchmaking business into a jewelry store which he operated on Main St. in Ridgefield for many years. When he sold the business, he concentrated on banking and real estate interests. In 1941, Martin was elected president of the First National Bank of Ridgefield and held that office until the bank merged into the Fairfield Trust Co. in 1959, where he became a senior vice president. Martin had financial success from real estate investments including the land that became the sites of Schlumberger Research and New England Institute and the Copps Hill shopping plaza. He developed Great Pond off of Route 7, with 10 acres of woodland, a brick restroom building, parking lots and a sandy beach, after the town finance board on which he served said the town could not afford to do it. A few years later, he and the holding company he formed turned the property over to the town park and recreation commission. He also helped the town develop two Little League fields. Active in the Jesse Lee Memorial Methodist Church since 1918 and president of its board of trustees from 1939-1969, Martin had a leading role in the acquisition of the property on Main Street, where the new church was erected. He donated the 1,675-pipe organ and the attached church hall which was named in his honor. Martin was a member of the Lions Club, served on the town's planning commission, the school site committee and the finance board. He also served the Boys' Club, the Fresh Air Fund, the "Y" and other groups. |
Spouse |
Doris Alida (Godfrey) Martin |
Children |
Dr. Philip Martin, son |
Related Records
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2002.302.0222 - Clippings
Ridgefield Press December 29, 1977 Reminiscing Francis Martin/ Elisha Keeler. Ridgefield Y.M.C.A.
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.0208 - Clippings
Cartoon of Francis Martin and his history Bob Donovan cartoonist
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3002 - Print, photographic
Building at 411-419 Main Street Hartmann Photo
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3016 - Print, photographic
Martin Park, Great Pond Fresh Air Club George Mench, Photographer Camp Adventure July Calendar
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3036 - Print, photographic
Ridgefield Boys' Band Aldo Casagrande, Leader Francis Martin, 3rd from Casagrande Hartmann photo
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3039 - Print, photographic
WW II Bond Auction 1943 Francis Martin, unidentified
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3040 - Print, photographic
1943 WWII War Bond Auction Westbrook Pegler, Francis Martin
Record Type: Archive
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2003.303.3043 - Print, photographic
Francis Martin and Mrs. Shapiro at Branchville Fresh Air Camp, planning fund raiser
Record Type: Archive
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2003.320.0004 Farrar (e) - Mixed media
Geraldine Farrar double eyeglass case gift from Enrico Caruso/ Four letters with envelopes, Geraldine Farrar to Francis and Doris Martin, 1957-1966
Record Type: Archive
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2003.320.3001 - print, photographic
Photograph of Geraldine Farrar with Francis Martin at the Country Club (2)
Record Type: Archive
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2003.320.3002 - print, photographic
photograph of Geraldine Farrar, Francis Martin, Sylvia Blein (2)
Record Type: Archive
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2003.320.3003 - print, photographic
photograph of Francis Martin, June Martin, Geraldine Farrar
Record Type: Archive
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2004.321.0004 Martin - Mixed media
Wedding announcement - Doris Godfrey to Francis D. Martin/ October 16, 1916.
Record Type: Archive
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2005.317.0004 Martin - Mixed Media
Francis D. Martin autobiography and interview.
Record Type: Archive
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2005.335.3021 - Print, photographic
Misc. photos of Fairfield County Trust bank employees, 1963
Record Type: Archive
