Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    WILLIAM P. MARTIN

    WILLIAM P. MARTIN, who was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, October 15, 1830, and with his brother, Abijah Martin, resides on and owns an undivided farm of 204 acres in Sections 26 and 27, Elizabeth Township, is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of Miami County. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Clyne) Martin.

    Levi Martin, the grandfather, was a soldier in the War of 1812, from Pennsylvania, and in passing through Ohio, was so pleased with the appearance of Miami County, that he subsequently brought his family and established himself in what is now Staunton Township, where the present Mark Knoop farm is located. He owned 320 acres but sold 160, cleared the greater part of the rest and lived there until his death at the age of eighty years, when it went to his oldest son. He married Delilah Corbly and they had nine children: Corbly, William, Levi, Joseph, Andrew, Asa, John, Nancy and Elizabeth.

    Joseph Martin resided on his farm of sixty acres, which was situated two and one-half miles north of Casstown. He married Mary Clyne, a daughter of Isaac and Olive (Ingrain) Clyne, and they had three children, Abijah, William P. and Hannah. Joseph Martin and wife died on the same day from the scourge of cholera, October, 1833.

    When the Martin children were made orphans, their uncle Corbly was appointed guardian and William P. later went to live with an aunt, Minerva Hart. He resided while he went to school two and one half miles north of Troy. The uncle, Levi Hart, had a cooper shop and there the boy learned the trade. When he reached his majority he bought a farm which he conducted in the summers and then worked at his trade in the winters. Wishing to see something of the country, he made trips to New Orleans at different times and also to Texas, where he bought stock and drove it north and shipped it to the great Chicago market. He then with his brother invested in another farm, one of 160 acres, in the vicinity of Alcony, which he operated for about five years and then sold it to George Crawmer and made another trip to Texas as a stock buyer. Later he worked for a time at the cooper trade at Casstown, Ohio, and then, with his brother, went into the real estate business, dealing in far lands. Their present fine property coming into the market in this way, it formerly being the property of Levi Hart, the brothers secured it and have occupied it ever since, being partners in everything. Mr. Martin was one of the charter stockholders of the Troy National Bank and was a director of the same.

    In politics Mr. Martin has always been identified with the Democratic party and on that ticket has frequently been elected to township office. For fifteen years he served continuously as township trustee, and has served with the utmost satisfaction to all concerned as a member of the School Board and, as township treasurer several terms. Mr. Martin has never married.

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