Biography of Jacob Martin
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 902
JACOB MARTIN, superannuated minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, was born near Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, April 3, 1806. His father was Charles H. Martin, a native of England, who carne to America previous to the Revolutionary war. He served in the Colonial army, and subsequently drew a pension for services rendered. He was single man, and in 1789 removed to Marietta, Ohio, one year after its first settlement, and where he met and afterward married Mary M. Gayler, a native of Pennsylvania. The date of their marriage was 1797. Soon after their union, they located on the Muskingum River, about six miles above Marietta, and in 1815, to Licking County, Ohio, where both passed the remainder of life. The father was a member of the Seceder Church in early life, but subsequently let his
thoughts turn to things of a more worldly nature. He was again converted through the ministration of his own son and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in August, 1833, and died in the full faith of a blissful immortality, in November, 1838, aged eighty years. His wife became a member of the Baptist Church in 1821 or 1822, but for convenience, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1848, living in that faith till her death December 8, 1860. She was born March 31, 1777. Jacob Martin, born 1806, was in his tenth year when his parents in 1815 removed to Licking County. His educational facilities, like those or all "pioneer boys," were limited, he receiving only fifteen months' schooling in all his life (outside of his theological studies), and that at scattered intervals, between the ages of five and twenty years. He remained with his father until he entered the university. He first thought of taking the step when twenty-one years of age, and in 1831 joined the Ohio Conference when twenty-five years of age. He was first assigned to the Wilmington (Clinton County) Circuit and his subsequent locations are as follows: In 1832, to the Tiffin Circuit; in 1833 to Fort Defiance, and thence to Logan County, W. Va., one year, his circuit covering 600 miles: thence to Gallipolis: in 1836 to London Circuit; next to Franklinton Circuit, one year; Granville Circuit, a like period. At close of that year, superannuated on account of failing health, and removed to Range Township, in this county, and was there engaged in farming for fourteen years. He then returned to the regular ministry again, and, in 1853, was assigned to the Dublin Circuit; thence to Groveport two years and two years later to Worthington where he had formerly bought property; two years later, was assigned to the Darbyville Circuit, in Westport, Franklin County, while family remained at Worthington; was there one year; thence to Mount Sterling, this county and then to Johnston, Licking Co., two years; Baltimore, Fairfield Co., one year; thence, again to Mount Sterling, one year; Bloomingburg, Fayette Co., one year; Frankfort, Ross County, two years; and finally, in 1867, again superannuated, and purchased his present property in London, where he has since resided. Rev. Mr. Martin has been an able and efficient worker in the Lord's vineyard, having traveled a great deal in the State of Michigan, doing missionary work, and prior to his entering the regular ministry. In the latter, he has labored over a period of twenty-two years,
averaging over 3,000 miles traversed each year., and probably a grand total of 75,000 miles, or three times the circuit of the globe. He is now resting from his labors amid pleasant surroundings and hosts of admiring friends. Before long his bark will pass over the river to the great beyond, and where a crown of righteousness awaits him at the last day. Mr. Martin was married in March 1836 to Johanna C. Leonard, a native of the District of Columbia, now a portion of Fairfax County, Va. Three sons were sent to bless this union, two living. The elder, James D., has been in Washington D. C., in a dry goods house, part of the time as partner. Near the end of the rebellion, he was sent to Savannah. Ga., as Post Office Agent, thence to Charleston, S. C., where he remained in charge some six months, after which he returned to
Washington. He was then appointed one of the "Tax Commissioners" of the South, with headquarters at Beaufort. S. C. At the end of eighteen months. he returned to Washington, D. C., where he still is, in single blessedness. The younger son, Joseph S., is farmer and stock-raiser of Range Township, where he was born and reared. He married Isabel, daughter of Benjamin Harrison (deceased). They have three children -- James F., Benjamin H. and Joseph S. The youngest son of Jacob Martin, John Wayland, died September 23, 1845 aged fourteen months. Mrs. Martin is still living, aged seventy-three years. Like her husband, she has also been a faithful worker and, with her husband, will enjoy the Gospel sweets of the great eternity.
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