My Genealogy Hound

JOHN F. MARTIN, an enterprising and progressive farmer, is of German nativity, his birth occurring January 14, 1832. He is the only issue to the marriage of John Martin and Margaret Sharp, who were also natives of Germany, where the father died. The widow and son, in 1842, left kindred and friends behind, and crossing the ocean immigrated to New York, from whence they went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they resided a few months. They then moved to Ripley County, Ind., making their home there until 1852, when they moved to Carter Township, Spencer County. John F. Martin has been very fortunate in securing a fair education in both English and German. In 1857 he moved on to his present place, it being then almost totally devoid of improvement. He now owns 250 acres of Carter Township’s best land, which he has nicely improved, and on which he has one of the nicest two-story brick dwellings in the county. His first house was a small, 10x12 foot dwelling, made of round poles, which is quite a contrast to his present surroundings. He was married, January 15, 1859, to Millie Brooner, who was born in Dubois County, Indiana, March 24, 1840, daughter of Henry Brooner, and by her is the father of fourteen children, the following named being yet alive: Margaret, Frank, Lizzie, Lottie, Abraham L., Emma, Henry, Mattina, Willie, Alice, Victoria, John and Fannie. The parents are members of the United Brethren Church.