My Genealogy Hound

Rev. John J. Martin was born in DeWitt County, Ill., in 1847, and is a son of Judge Sam. H. Martin, who was born in Ohio. He adopted the ministry as a calling, but was appointed judge of the probate and common pleas court, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted in the service as chaplain of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteers, and served two and a half years, when he resigned on account of failing health. He was ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church by the Illinois Conference when he was twenty-four years of age, and is still preaching the Gospel, being now a resident of Menard County. Rev. John J. Martin was first educated in the public schools, and then completed a collegiate education in an Illinois college. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-Ninth Illinois Regiment Volunteers, with which he served for over three years. After receiving his discharge he returned home and began the study of law under W. P. Randolph, at Lincoln, Ill., and afterward attended the Cincinnati Law College one term. He then practiced his profession for two years in Lincoln, Ill., and built up a good practice. He made a trip to California about this time, and then returned and settled in Marionville, Mo., where he also built up a good legal practice. He also taught school and was superintendent of public instruction of Christian County for four years. Espousing the cause of the Methodist Episcopal Church he, in 1878, joined the St. Louis Conference, and was ordained a minister of that denomination in 1880, and received the following appointments: Cassville, one year; Avilla, two years; Golden City, two years, and Marionville, three years. He organized, and with the aid of the citizens built, a nice church in the town of Marionville. He was married in 1872 to Sarah E. Estes, of Stone County, Va., who bore him eight children, six of whom are living: William L., Hannah P., Luella B., Leona M., Jessie M. and Gertrude. Mr. Martin is a member of the Masonic, I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. societies, and is commander of Post 141 of the G. A. R. He is at this time president of Marionville Collegiate Institute.