Dan Martin was born June 4, 1907, the son of Alex and Dora Bell Taylor Martin, but was adopted by Alice Spencer Geddes Lloyd "for purpose of educating him."  While a student at the Caney Creek Community Center and Caney Junior College, he traveled through he states for what was called "the crusades," speaking and raising funds for the institution.  He also helped Mrs.  Lloyd establish several schools in remote sections of Knott and Floyd County. Most of these schools were later taken over by the county school systems.                

Martin was instrumental in getting Mrs. Alice Lloyd on the Ralph Edwards television show, "This is your Life," Which greatly helped he institution raise funds at a critical time.                                            

Martin attended Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee, receiving a bachelor's degree.  He was the winner of the oratorical contest and belonged to the debate, was associate editor of Tusculumnews (college paper), Pi Kappa Delta, and belonged to the Boys Literary Society.

Dan Martin had a scholarship to Harvard University College of Law but was homesick for Kentucky, and went to the University of Kentucky College of Law, receiving an LLD degree (now doctor of law).  He practiced in Knott and surrounding counties.  Martin became a member of the board of directors and board of trustees of Caney Junior College and later Caney College, which grew into a four-year institution with  a name change to Alice Lloyd College. He still holds seats on the boards.       

Mr. Martin was elected county attorney of Knott County for the terms, from 1937 to 1941 and 1957 to 1961.  During these terms, he was overseer of right-f-way purchaser and construction of many roads.  He volunteered for military service during World War II.

Mr. Martin served as assistant Commonwealth attorney one term with Afton M. Smith.  Dan was noted as one of the most brilliant criminal lawyers in the state of Kentucky.  He closed his law office and retired from practice of law in 1984 after  ? years.  Martin is  a Mason, Shiner, Kentucky Colonel, a member of the American Legion and member of the Kentucky Bar Association.

Dan Martin is married to Hassie Hicks.  They are the parents of two children, Daniel Ainsworth and Susan Chrys; the grandparents of four, Lucinda, Dan Thelman and Virginia Martin and Chrys Lingstrom.

Corbett Mullins
May 10, 2003