My Genealogy Hound

John Martin, retired farmer of Bradford, Tenn., is a son of William and Martha C. (Martin) Martin, who were born in Ireland about 1797 and 1805, respectively. They were married in the “Emerald Isle” and came to America about 1821, and located first in Florence, Ala., and in 1827 came to Gibson County. Shortly after coming here, the father went to Nashville on a visit, and on his return was drowned in the Tennessee River. John Martin is the second of their four children, and was born December 17, 1824, in Florence, Ala. In boyhood he attended the old-fashioned, log schoolhouse, and after his father’s death hired out to help support the family. At the age of thirty he was chosen constable and held that position some three years. He was, for about six years, deputy sheriff. In 1863 he joined Carroll’s company of Confederate cavalry, and served as assistant quartermaster until the close of the war. In 1847 he married Elizabeth Holt, by whom he had four sons and one daughter. She died in 1861, and eight years after, he married Mary Robinson, who bore him one son. Mr. Martin has served as magistrate about fourteen years, and for three years has been chairman of the county court. He owns 15,000 acres of land, which he has earned by his own exertions. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.