My Genealogy Hound

John W. Martin, deceased, was born in Virginia in 1805, and when quite small was taken to the State of Kentucky, where he was reared. In 1826, in Casey County, Ky., he married Ann P. Bransom, also a native of Virginia, who was born in 1809. Having lived in Casey County, Ky., until 1839, they removed to Crawford County, Mo., and located on the farm now owned by their son, Charles. Upon his arrival John W. entered 160 acres of land, and by industry and good management became the possessor of nearly 800 acres; he served as justice of the peace for a number of years, and from time to time preached for the surrounding congregations, with his wife, being a member of the Christian Church. He was a Democrat, and was universally respected by all who knew him. His death occurred in 1877. In the family of nine children, the youngest but one, Charles W., was born in his present home in 1844, being reared on the farm, and receiving a common-school education. In 1861 he married Sarah A. Harman, a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have nine children, viz.: George W., Mary E., John M., James A., Andrew, McQuerter, William H., Benjamin F. and Tennyson. The parents are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Martin served two years as road commissioner, and was a school trustee three years. He is one of the leading farmers of Dry Creek, where he owns 330 acres of the best land and deals quite extensively in stock. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is a stockholder in the Christian Reliance Association Store Company, which was founded August 8, 1887, in Union Township, by Milton J. Jones, a native of West Virginia. He was the youngest son of Rev. Thomas and Mary Jones, themselves natives of West Virginia, who immigrated to Franklin County, Mo., in 1869, and thence to Polk County. In 1877 Mr. Jones removed to Webster County, settling in Franklin County May 11, 1878. His wife died at Sullivan November 10, 1879, leaving three children: Robert Elmer, Mary Olive and Minnie Maud. Mr. Jones is a zealous member of the Christian Church.