Abraham Martin

As printed in 1908

ABRAHAM MARTIN, a much esteemed resident of Bethel Township, residing on a farm of fifty-six and three-quarters acres, was born October 23, 1827, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of David and Esther (Martin) Martin.

David Martin was born and reared in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In his earlier years he engaged in farming, after which he conducted an inn until a railroad line was built through that section of Lancaster County, when, finding this interfered with his business, in 1840, packed his belongings into a two-horse wagon and brought his family to Ohio.

They came on the newly-built Dayton Turnpike through Springfield to Dayton, where they had relatives, and thence to Enon. Mr. Martin remembers that there his mother sent him into a store to buy eggs, and he received just 100 eggs for twenty-five cents. The little store where the purchase was made is still in existence. They then proceeded to Tippecanoe City, Miami County, then to Medway, Bethel Township, and finally purchased land in Donnelsville. Mr. Martin conducted a hotel at Medway for some time, but later followed gardening. His death occurred in 1864, when eighty years of age. He was survived by his widow until 1866, when in her eighty-first year. There were ten children born to David and Esther Martin, namely: Fanny, who married Frank Hawthorn, both deceased; Hattie, who married Dr. Miller, both deceased, her death occurring in Cahfomia when in her ninety-first year; Ann, who married John Steele, both deceased; Christian, deceased; David, deceased; Magdaleua, who died in youth; Mary, who married George Alban, both deceased; Henry, who is a resident of Dayton, Ohio; Eliza, who married James Allen, both deceased; and Abraham.

Abraham Martin was a lad of thirteen years when his parents removed from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Clark County, Ohio, Springfield being at that time a very small village. He received his education in the district schools of the pioneer type, with the slab benches, and he assisted his father in clearing the land and chopped many cords of wood for others at twenty-five cents per cord. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until about fifty' years old. and during his younger days also taught school during the winter months.

Mr. Martin was married October 12, 1818, just eleven days previous to attaining his majority, to Sarah Ann Allen, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Allen, both of whom came to this county at an early age, the former from New Jersey in 1801, at the age of four years, and the latter from Kentucky when young. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had five children, namely: Minerva, widow of Lewis Schatfner, who died in 1887, has two children. Bertha, who married W. Ebersole, and has four children, and Cassius L., who married Alice Smith, has two children; David, who died aged 35 years, married Fanny Ziegler, also deceased, and had four children, Thui'za, Sadie, Abraham, and Roscoe; Mary (Mrs. W. Hicks) has three children, Abraham 0., Gertrude, and Ruth; J. Cassius married Rosette Miller, and has seven children, Harry, Viola, deceased, Irene, Ethel, Delia, Abraham, Edna; Nora, deceased wife of Willis Morningstar, is survived by four children. Otto, Fern, Frank, and Nellie. Mr. Martin is the great-grandfather of fourteen and the grandfather of twenty children.

In the year before his marriage Mr. Martin had purchased one acre of land upon which he erected a small house, and since then has always owned his own home. In 1862 he purchased forty acres of his present farm from Frederick Gordon, later adding sixteen and three-quarters acres. In May, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until September, 1864. Upon his return to Clark

County he engaged in carpenter work for several years, building bank barns as a specialty, his sons in the meantime operating the farm for him. Mr. Martin subsequently conducted the farm himself for a time, but acquired the larger part of his ample fortune by loaning money. For some time he has rented his land, taking care to have reliable tenants.

Mr. Martin is one of the oldest men in the township, and although past eighty years of age, is still remarkably hale for a man of his years, and has but once since his marriage I'required the services of a physician for himself. Politically he is a Republican, and has served his township in various offices. He is a member of the Mitchell Post, G. A. R., and has been a member of the Masonic order since 1857.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.