Bios: THOMAS MARTIN : Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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    THOMAS MARTIN
    
    [p. 332] resides in Plain Grove township, Lawrence Co., Pa., on a farm
  which he purchased many years ago. He has his life through followed the
  vocation of cultivating the soil, and has attained by means of thrifty ways
  and correct manners of life a prominence and standing which places him easily
  in the front rank of Lawrence County's prosperous and solid men. Mr. Martin
  was born in Washington township, this county, Feb. 19, 1832. He attended
  school and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty. Upon his marriage
  at the age of twenty-three Mr. Martin received from his father a 100-acre plot
  of land in Washington township, which he held for several years, ultimately
  selling it and buying a farm of 190 acres in extent in Plain Grove township.
  This is the property on which he now resides. It is located in an especially
  desirable position, and has been developed to the highest point attainable by
  modern methods. A large and very well-ventilated barn belongs to the estate,
  and a comfortable and commodious farm-house serves as our subject's
  residence. The orchards, grain fields, and meadow land will compare very
  favorably with the best in Lawrence County, a section of the State which is
  noted for its fine farms.
    
    Mr. Martin is a son of William Martin, who was born in County Armagh,
  Ireland, in 1796. He had learned the carpenter's trade while still a lad, but
  when he came to this side of the stormy Atlantic when yet a young man he began
  farming. He worked for three years in Chester Co., Pa., and then in 1817
  returned to Ireland, was married, and returned to the States with his wife.
  The lady, whom he married, was Agnes Martin, born Martin, in County Armagh,
  May 4, 1793. The young couple settled to encounter the stern duties of life
  in Washington County; they lived three years in Washington borough, and then
  moved into Lawrence County, locating in Washington township. They both
  reached a good old age, Mr. Martin departing this life Dec. 12, 1870, at the
  age of seventy-four, and his wife March 5, 1874, aged eighty-one years.
  During life they were very active members of the Seceder denomination, and
  were otherwise well known in the social and religious life of the township.
  As a citizen, Mr. Martin was no less energetic than as a farmer. He was a
  strong Democrat, wielding much influence in local circles, and served his
  fellow-citizens in several public capacities, among them being that of
  constable. He was an upright man, a good farmer, and a worthy citizen.
  Through hard labor, directed by a good head, he prospered exceedingly and
  died esteemed by all who knew him.
    
    Thomas Martin, the subject of this history, on June 10, 1853, wedded his
  first wife, Maria Jordan, whose parents were Michael and Rebecca (Ramsey)
  Jordan, members of a very prominent and representative Washington township
  family. To this union three children were born, two of whom survive. They are
  Agnes Rebecca and Margaret Elvira. Elizabeth Ann was the name of the daughter
  that died. Agnes Rebecca became the wife of Renwick Nelson, who is the
  proprietor of a large furniture store in Mercer, Pa. Nine children came to
  them, of whom the following seven are now alive: Maria M.; Martha; James;
  Bessie J.; Thomas M.; Grace A.; and Elsie. Margaret Elvira is the wife of Dr.
  Alexander B. Hamilton of Laramie City, Wyoming. Some time after the decease of
  his first wife, on Sept. 23, 1879, in Plain Grove township, Mr. Martin
  contracted a matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Martha McCune, the widow of James
  D. McCune. She was born in Plain Grove township and was a daughter of John and
  Margaret (Patterson) Offutt. Of this marriage one son was born, James David
  McCune.
    
    Mr. and Mrs. Martin were formerly members of the Presbyterian Church, and
  are very well known in all circles of social and religious life in the
  township. Mr. Martin's politics are of the Democratic school. In that party
  his advice and counsel have much weight and influence. Besides his farming
  interests, he is a member of the firm of Offutt, White & Co., leading
  undertakers of New Castle, and has a number of other business affairs that
  take up fully his extra time.