My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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.

* * * *

Dr. R. W. Martin, physician and farmer, is a son of William A. and Charlotte (Robion) Martin. The father was born in Chesterfield County, Va., and the mother in Cumberland County, Va. They had twelve children—ten boys and two girls—only four of the sons survive. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving until the end. He was a Methodist, and in politics an old line Whig. He died in 1858. The mother was a Missionary Baptist, and died February 7, 1863. Our subject is of Scotch descent on the father’s side, and French on the mother’s, her parents being French Huguenots. Mr. Martin was born in Chesterfield County, Va., July 25, 1841, and was raised on a farm, receiving a high-school education, and in 1861 graduated in the Virginia Medical College at Richmond. After graduating he volunteered April 16, 1861, in the First Virginia Infantry (C. A.), and was promoted in August to assistant surgeon, and in 1864 promoted to the rank of surgeon, which he held until the close of the war. October, 1868, he came to West Tennessee, locating in Lauderdale County, where he engaged in the practice of medicine with marked success. July 16, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss M. V. Posey, a daughter of Mr. W. P. Posey. They have one daughter— Mary E., born August 7, 1875. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Dr. Martin is a Democrat, and belongs to the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor Lodges. In addition to his professional duties he has a farm of 450 acres of land, most of it under cultivation. Dr. Martin is a cultured, pleasant gentleman, and is well liked by all who know him.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 116 biographies included in the book,  The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Lauderdale County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

View additional Lauderdale County, Tennessee family biographies here: Lauderdale County, Tennessee

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.