MARTIN-Amos - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Amos MARTIN, whose early recollections are closely interwoven with the pioneer struggles and rapid growth of the state of Indiana, is numbered among the representative citizens and prosperous farmers of Davis Twp, Fountain Co. For over 3 score years a constant and valued resident of this portion of the state, he has carefully stored his mind with interesting fact and curious reminiscence of bygone day. The paternal ancestor of our subject, great grandfather Martin, was a native of England and came to America before the Revolutionary War had decided the question of our national independence. The worthy Englishman here founded the American branch of the Martin family to which Amos Martin undoubtedly belongs. Ephraim & Rhoda SAYERS Martin were the parents of our subject. Father Martin was born in NJ, in 1798 but his excellent wife was a native of PA. The father came to the Quaker state with his parents, John and Charlotte NELSON Martin, when he was a very little child. The grandparents of our subject reared a family of 5 children: Peter, Amos, Ephraim, Charlotte and Ruth. Unto Ephraim and his wife Rhoda was born upon April 4, 1823 in the State of Ohio, County of Miami, our subject, Amos Martin. Amos migrated from the Buckeye State to Fountain Co with his father and mother in 1832, and this county has been his constant home ever since. His early home was in Richland Twp and there he attended the subscription school, whose house of instruction would surprise the modern scholars of today. Slabs were used as seats for the pupils, in those primitive times, in the building where our subject learned the primary studies and carefully repeated them over and over, one log was left out of the entire side of the house and window panes placed in the rough frame to furnish light. Having grown to man's estate and being fully trained in the ways of agriculture and stern economy, Mr. Martin determined to found a home of his own, and to that end united himself in marriage with Miss Mary Stewart. This wedding was solemnized in 1855 and a few months later the young wife died. Our subject was again married, his second wife being Hannah, daughter of Henry and Hulda Hunt, in Henry County, Indiana. This union was blessed with the birth of six, 5 living: Cora, the eldest born is dead; John R. is a prosperous farmer of the county; Elmer is engaged in thepursuit of agriculture; Frank is also a successful farmer of the county;Charles E; Pearl is the wife of Newman Marlatt of Richland Twp. These sons and yougnest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin occupy responsible positions in life, which they fill with intelligence; respected and useful, they are valued members of the various communities in which they make their homes. In 1853, two years prior to his first marriage, our subject engaged in farming for himself, near the old homestead where he was reared. The farm which he had purchased gave him good returns and he there remained, engaged in general agriculture until 1877 when he disposed of his well-tilled farm and located on valuable land which he owns in Richland Twp. In 1889, Mr. Martin erected a handsome residence in Davis Twp, opposite his old home. The locality is desirable and the surrounding acres are under a high state of cultivation. At one time our subject owned a section of fine land, but he aided his children in their start in life and retains only a portion of his former landed property. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are prominent members of the United Brethren Church and do their full share in the support of the organization. They are earnest Christian people and ever ready to assist in thegood cause. Our subject has been a Republican ever since 1856. He is not an active politician but is, like all good citizens, interested in the management of our national affairs and also desires to see the best local offices worthily filled. Mr. Martin has many friends and well wishers and deserves the respect which he has gained through his upright and conscientious walk in life. Beckwith, H. W. History of Fountain County, Indiana. Chicago: HH Hill, 1881. p. 254 Amos MARTIN, farmer and stock raiser, Newtown, eldest son of Ephraim and brother to John S. Martin, was born in Miami Co Ohio April 4, 1823. His father's family settled in Richland Twp, where his brother John lives in 1832. Mr. Martin has always been engaged in his present business. He owns several tracts of valuable land. In his homestead are 465 acres, all under cultivation and in a high state of improvement; 380 acres in Benton Co and 160 in Nebraska; all valued at $44,000. He wa smarried the first time, March 5, 1855 to Mary Steward of Covington who suvvived only till 19 May. He married again, Nov 13, 1856 Miss Hannah Palin, daughter of Henry and Huldah Hunt Palin. She was born Aug 12, 1838. They have had six children: Cora B, born Nov 13, 1857 (died May 25, 1873) John R, Feb 18, 1859; Elmer A April 24, 1861; Frank S Sept 18, 1864; Charles E Jan 19, 1867; Lydia Pearl March 25, 1874. Mr. Martin was drafted in 1864 and hired a substitute for $1,200. He and his wife belong to the United Brethren Church. He is a republican.

File Created: 2006-Aug-16