My Genealogy Hound

MARTIN MARKER, farmer and stock-raiser; Sec. 13; P. O. Versailles, Ohio. George, his father, was a native of Maryland, born in Frederick Co., on the 19th of June, 1782; he emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1823, where he resided till his death, which occurred on the 29th of November, 1850. Margaret, his wife, died in Preble Co., Ohio, at the advanced age of 84 years. Martin, the subject of this sketch, is one of the old settlers of Darke Co., being a native of Maryland, born in Frederick Co., on the 15th of June, 1815; came with his parents to Montgomery Co., Ohio, when he was about 7 years old, where he spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm; he received his education in the subscription schools of Montgomery Co. On the 30th of May, 1837, he celebrated his marriage in Montgomery Co., with Margaret Weaver, who is a native of Ohio, born in Montgomery Co., on the 18th of January, 1818; shortly after his marriage, he rented a farm, on which he remained about two years, when he took a lease in Butler Township, Darke Co., but only remained six months, when he moved on a tract of land in York Township, consisting of 94 acres, which his father-in-law gave him in lieu of $100; he erected a log cabin and began the laborious task of opening up a farm; he cleared and put under cultivation about 40 acres. He traded his farm for a saw and flouring mill, known as the “John Hole Mill,” which he operated about ten years, but, accidentally, was forced into a law-suit, in which he lost almost the entire property. He then leased 70 acres in York Township for three years, and, in a short time, he purchased the tract for $600, paying $10 down, which was every cent that he possessed; but, at the expiration of the three years, he had paid out. He then purchased 80 acres more, paying $400 and, in a few years, he erected a brick house and cleared 60 acres. In 1850, he sold out to his brother Raymond for $1,700; he then purchased 164 acres, where he now resides. In 1863, he sold out, and purchased 240 acres in Cedar Co, Iowa, where he moved, and, in a short time, he added 280 acres more, making in all 520 acres, 120 of which was timber land. In 1866, he sold the entire body, at a gain of nearly $6,000; he then removed to Darke Co., on the old farm, the party failing to pay for it, where he has continued to reside ever since: he erected a bank-barn, 70x40 feet, at a cost of $2,500, also a very large two-story brick house, and raised an orchard of 300 bearing fruit-trees; the farm contains 164 acres, valued at $16,000. He has given his children, in lands and money, about $11,000, all of which he and his good and amiable wife have accumulated by their hard labor, having passed through the many struggles, trials and dangers so common to the pioneer of the West. They have been members of the Lutheran Church for upward of forty-five years. Mr. Marker has had his full share of township offices since his residence in the county, viz.: In 1851, he was elected District Assessor, he platted and appraised the lands in five townships, viz.: Wayne, Richland, York, Wabash and Patterson, which he performed in 10 days, receiving a compensation of $204; his work was received with universal satisfaction by the people; he is also known as the best and most successful auctioneer in the county. He relates many thrilling incidents of his early life in Darke Co., which the writer would have been pleased to mention, but, for the want of space, had to omit. Margaret, his wife, should have special mention for her heroic deeds, as she has shared the storms as well as the calms, the joys as well as the sorrows; she is the mother of eleven children, of whom nine are living, viz.: Lovina S., born Feb. 12, 1838; Martin V., June 27, 1841; Mary, March 27, 1843; Emanuel, Sept. 12, 1845; Martha, J., May 25, 1851; Lucinda and Malinda (twins), March 12, 1855; Josiah, March 28, 1858; Amanda, Nov 9, 1872.