My Genealogy Hound

REUBEN MARTIN, a successful merchant at Barnitz, Dickinson township, Cumberland county, who joined the silent majority in June, 1901, was one of the useful men of his day. Intelligent, progressive and energetic, honest, upright and independent, he held a place in the community that few men are able to fill.

George Martin, his father, came from York county to Cumberland, and settled at Mooredale, where he opened a general store which be carried on with much profit for some time. He then bought a farm of 200 acres near Barnitz, where he made his home until his death. For some few years before his demise he had lived retired from active participation in affairs. He was the father of the following children; Jacob, Simon, William, George, Elizabeth, Mary and Reuben.

Reuben Martin was born in Dickinson township in 1848, and received his education in the district schools of his native town and in the village school at Plainfield. He was a lover of study, and had applied himself so diligently that he was competent to teach, which he did for several terms at Mt. Hope school, in Dickinson township. He then engaged in farming and in the stock insurance business for some four years, when he purchased the general store at Barnitz formerly conducted by Harry Brickerhoff. He proved himself well adapted for the commercial world, and met with great success in his undertaking. The post office was located in his store. He built himself a fine residence and made many improvements in his property, which had become quite valuable.

In 1879 Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Anna M. Morrison, daughter of John and Jane (Lockard) Morrison, of Dickinson township. She was born in the old Morrison home in 1853, and attended the Farmers Academy. Two children blessed this union, Irene and Guy, both of whom are at home. Reuben Martin was a Democrat, and stanch in support of his chosen party, he belonged to the Methodist Church, of which his wife is a faithful member. His death was a severe blow, not alone to his family, but to his many friends and neighbors. Mrs. Martin has continued to carry on the general store, and has shown herself to be a woman of remarkable business ability and acumen. She has not only held the patronage secured by her husband, but has increased it, and with all her responsibilities, the difficult combination of business woman and careful mother, she has maintained her womanly sweetness and is making a happy home for her children.