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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Putnam County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Samuel J. Martz was born in Sullivan County, Mo., November 14, 1841, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah (Forsyth) Martz, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father was an early settler of Iowa, and died in that State, after which his widow married Edward Dwyer, and, in 1856, moved to Putnam County, Mo. Here Mr. Dwyer died and his widow is now living with her youngest son. S. J. was reared in this county, and, in July, 1861, enlisted for three years in Company D, Eighteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the expiration of his time. He was in the fight at Shiloh, and disabled by a gun shot in the thigh, on account of which he received a furlough and returned home. After returning to his regiment he was with the mounted infantry some time, and was with Sherman at Marietta and Resaca. He was detailed, and served about half a month with the Second United States Volunteer Battery before Kenesaw Mountain, was in the engagement at Snake Creek Gap, and was present at all the engagements and skirmishes in which his regiment participated. After his discharge, November 14, 1864, he returned home, and in 1865 engaged in farming, since which time he has made one trip to the Black Hills, and two to the Alleghany Mountains. In about 1871 he built a mill, and located upon his present residence, and in connection with his saw and grist-mill is engaged in farming upon ninety-three acres of land on Shoal Creek. November 12, 1865, he married Clarissa A. Garroll, daughter of Henry and Mary (Teter) Garroll, of Ohio. Mr. Garroll was in the Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry, in which he served until his death, in St. Louis, in December, 1863. To Mr. and Mrs. Martz six children were born: Fannie, Cory, John, Seth, Pearl and Birdell.

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This family biography is one of 139 biographies included in the Putnam County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Adair, Sullivan, Putnam, and Schuyler Counties, Missouri published in 1888 by Goodspeed Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Putnam County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Putnam County, Missouri family biographies here: Putnam County, Missouri Biographies

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