Rev. Wilson Martin

Among the United Brethren ministers who served as preachers in northwestern Ohio was Rev. Wilson Martin. He served as an itinerant preacher for many charges in the Sandusky Conference and he was later elected as presiding elder of this conference.

Wilson Martin was born at Washington County, Ohio on May 7, 1819, the son of Samuel W. and Elizabeth (McCabe) Martin. His maternal grandfather, Reuben Martin, served in the Revolutionary War while living in New Jersey. The Martin family were early settlers of the Ohio Valley and Martin's Ferry on the Ohio River is named for the family.

Wilson Martin's father lived at Washington County, Ohio and he later brought his family to Westfield township, Delaware (now Morrow) county, Ohio. On September 2, 1838 Wilson Martin married Dilla Pringle of Westfield Township. Dilla Pringle was born on Sept. 25, 1818 at Pennsylvania. It is believed that her parents were Daniel and Deliverance (Rogers) Pringle who came to Delaware County, Ohio from Luzerne County, Pa. in 1820.

The Martin's early life was spent on farms at Westfield Twp., Morrow County and at Waldo Twp., Marion County, Ohio. During this time Wilson Martin worked as a farmer and a stone mason.

His career as a preacher began in February, 1843 when Wilson Martin was converted and joined the United Brethren Church at Waldo, Marion county, Ohio. Very soon after this conversion he recognized the call of God to preach the gospel and he began preparing for his work.- In February 1846 he obtained a license to preach from the quarterly conference and on Sept. 12, 1855 he was admitted into the Sandusky Conference which was in session at Newville, Ohio. Rev. Martin was active for many years as an itinerant and he served as pastor of quite a few of the most important charges including the United Brethren Church at Marion, Ohio. He was elected presiding elder in 1881 and continued to serve in this capacity until 1887.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Wilson Martin became a private in Co. C, 26th Ohio Infantry. Because of ill health he returned home but later rejoined the Army as a first lieutenant of Co. K, 66th Ohio Infantry. Wilson Martin again returned home to Westfield, Ohio and shortly after this he organized Co. B of the 121st Ohio Infantry. He served as captain of this company which was organized at Delaware, Ohio. This company was known as Capt. Martin's Company.

After the Civil War, Wilson Martin brought his family to a farm in Liberty township, Henry county, Ohio where two of his older children were already living. Rev. Martin remained here until about 1870 when he moved to Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio. In 1872 he engaged in the dry goods business at Columbus Grove with his son-in-law, John M. Crawford, and Joseph Justice; the firm being known as W. Martin & Co. Six months later Wilson Martin withdrew. Rev. Martin also engaged in the hardware business at Columbus Grove and in 1893 he and John M. Crawford bought out the interests of W.T. Mapel of the Exchange Bank. Wilson Martin served as vice president of the Exchange Bank. As a result of these farming and business interests Rev. Martin became quite wealthy and he was a generous benefactor of the United Brethren Church and he generously helped his children and grandchildren get a start in life.

Dilla Martin died at Columbus Grove, Ohio on Jan. 27, 1892 and Rev. Martin died on Sept. 8, 1899 at Napoleon where he had been visiting members of his family. They are buried in Truro Cemetery at Columbus Grove.

Wilson and Dilla Martin were the parents of seven children. Dr. Elton T. Martin married Dorcas Crawford and they brought their family to Liberty Township, Henry County, Ohio in the fall of 1863. Dr. Martin was a prominent physician at Liberty Center until his death on June 4, 1891.

Sarah Ann Martin, born Dec. 12, 1840 at Morrow County, Ohio, married John M. Crawford on Sept. 15, 1861 at Marion County, Ohio. They moved to a farm in Liberty Township, Henry County, Ohio in the fall of 1863 and remained there until 1872 when they rented out their farm and removed to Columbus Grove, Ohio. At Columbus Grove Mr. Crawford was a prominent merchant and banker. Sally Martin died at Columbus Grove on Dec. 1, 1911. Her husband died that same year. John M. Crawford was a brother of Dr. E.T. Martin's wife.

Charles Layafétte Martin, born July 28, 1842 at Delaware County, Ohio, served in Co. C 26th Ohio Infantry during the Civil War. On June 17, 1866 at Henry County, Ohio he married Anna Catherine Neff, who was a daughter of John and Hessey (Timbers) Neff of Liberty Township. Anna Neff was born Jan. 19, 1848. Charles Martin at one time was associated with Marion Weekley in the grocery business at Liberty Center. Later Charles Martin was engaged in the lumber exporting business. After bearing five children, Anna Martin died on Feb. 13, 1881 and she was buried at Liberty Chapel Cemetery. Charles Martin married Hattie Helm, the daughter of Jacob and Eliza Helm, on March 2, 1882 at Liberty Center. Charles Martin died of consumption, a disease which took the lives of many members of Rev. Martin's family, on Jan. 15, 1884. Charles Martin is buried in Young's Cemetery at Liberty Center. After his death Charles Martin's two surviving children, Jenny and Homer Martin, went to live with relatives. Jenny lived with her grandfather at Columbus Grove and Homer was raised by his uncle Dr. E.T. Martin of Liberty Center.

Daniel L. Martin, born March 29, 1844, served in the Civil War and died unmarried on July 1, 1868. He is bur ied at Liberty Chapel Cemetery.

Samuel W. Martin, born March 28, 1846, died on July 18, 1870. He and his wife Losana had one son Grant Martin. Samuel Martin lived near Columbus Grove, Ohio.

James P. Martin, born Aug. 24, 1848, was married to Mary Redman on Sept. 7, 1869 at Henry County, Ohio. They lived on a farm at Liberty Township, Henry County and with his father at Columbus Grove, Ohio. James Martin died on Aug. 30, 1871 and Mary Martin followed on April 30, 1874. They are buried with their infant son at Liberty Chapel Cemetery.

Martha Jane Martin, born Aug. 20, 1850, died at Liberty Township on Nov. 15, 1866. She is also buried at the Liberty Chapel Cemetery.

Submitted by: Robert Barnes