Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - William Martin

WILLIAM MARTIN

William Martin, a farmer near Plain City, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, August 18, 1827, and is a son of David and Leah (Brelsford) Martin, of Maryland. The grandfather of our subject, David Martin, settled in the above county in an early day. His maternal grandfather, Abram Brelsford, also settled there in an early day, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject came to this county in 1885, and settled in Jerome Township on the farm where William Martin now resides. He died on October 24, 1848. His mother is living, and resides in Madison County, Ohio. The subject of this sketch is the second son of nine children, five of whom are living, viz., William, George, David, Charles and Mary, William being the eldest. The care of the family devolved on his hands after the father's death, and for three years he supported them, then started out in life for himself. He rented a while, then purchased half of the homestead. February 28, 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Kile, by whom he has had four children; three are living Delilah, wife of John Warner; Laura J., wife of Robert Purdum, and David W. Mrs. Martin is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Kile. She was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 9, 1834. In 1864, Mr. Martin enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of the Ohio National Guard service. He was honorably discharged in September 1864. Mr. Martin is engaged in farming and stock-raising. he was a poor boy when thrown upon the world, but by his energy and industry he has made a reasonable competence.