James Martin

As printed in 1902

JAMES MARTIN.

Eighty-three years have passed since James Martin came to Knox county to cast his lot with its pioneers. People of the twentieth century can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and conveniences. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and opportunities of city and town, the struggle for existence was a hard and stern one, and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energies and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they voluntarily selected such a life and successfully fought the battles under such circumstances as prevailed in the "Northwest Territory."

James Martin is now one of the oldest living residents Oif Knox county, and few if any have lived longer within her borders. He was torn in the Crosscreek Village, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1807, the only child of Adam and Elizabeth ( Huston) Martin. The father was born in Ireland, where his father was a silk weaver. \Vhel a young man Adam Martin emigrated to the new world, — at a time when hostilities seemed imminent, — and he enlisted in the service at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, as a champion of liberty. He was made first lieutenant in Captain Timothy Parker's Company and Colonel Warner's regiment, which marched on the first alarm, on the 19th of April, 1775. On the ist of August of the same year his name appears on the records as captain of a company, in which capacity he served until 1780. During the remaining years of the war he was paymaster. When the independence of the nation was achieved and peace was restored, he located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he followed farming until his death, in October, 1816.

Adam Martin married Elizabeth Huston, a daughter of James and Isabella Huston. They were both natives of the Emerald Isle and were married in county Armagh. Prior to the Revolutionary war they came to America, settling four miles from Trenton, New Jersey, where Mrs. Martin was born, being one of six children, — three sons and three daughters. One son, John Huston, was a teamster in the war for independence. Mr. Huston, the grandfather of our subject, resided on his farm near Trenfon throughout the period of hostilities, so that he was often in the midst of the contending amiies. He was a weaver by trade, always following that pursuit. His daughter, Elizabeth, was born July 4, 1767, and.in 1806 gave her Iiand in marriage to Adam Martin. She was early left a widow and when her little son was only eleven years of age they came to Ohio, arriving in Knox county, in June, 1818. Here her death occurred August 13, 1844. They first took up their above in a Tented cabin on Schenck's creek, and the following year removed to a farm owned by Mr. McGibeny, who was a nephew of Mrs. Martin.

On their arrival their possessions consisted of one horse, two cows, a calf, and ten sheep. Four of the sheep were sold to buy chairs and other necessary furnishings for the house. After four years spent on the McGibeny farm they were compelled to move on account of the property changing owners, and James Martin then leased a neighboring farm. Only one acre had been cleared and the prospects were very gloomy, for Mr. Martin was hardly more than a boy and the outlook was hardly an auspicious one, but he made the best of the condition, and living upon the farm for five years, he raised tobacco and thus saved enough money to buy a horse. He then removed to another farm, owned by his cousin, Mr. McGibeny, and while living there, with his hard-earned savings, he purchased, in 1828, one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, — a part of his present farm. From this time forward his future seemed brighter. The improvements he placed upon his land, on Vhich he located in 1830, now belonged to him, and as the years passed he transformed his place into a very valuable property and extended its boundaries until he now owns one hundred and ninety-five acres, from which he annually secures a good income.

On the 12th of April, 1832, Mr. Martin married Miss Sarah Rigg, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Nancy Rigg, who came to this county in 1830. They had two children, John and Isabelle, but both died in 1869. They have, however, five grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

In connection with his general farming Mr. Martin began breeding short-horn cattle in 1860 and in the business met with excellent success. For many years he followed this enterprise, and became one of the best-known breeders of fine stock in this part of the state. Long years have passed since he had to practice the rigid economy which enabled him to gain a start in life, and now he is surrounded by all (that constitutes a fine farm while his income supplies him with the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has never aspired to public office. For the past sixty-six years he has been an active member of the Congregational church and he is also connected with the Sons of the American Revolution. He has passed the ninety-fourth milestone on life's journey and in the evening of his days can look back over the past without regret, for he has accomplished much in business and has ever merited and enjoyed the confidence and high regard of his fellow men.

As printed in The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.