My Genealogy Hound

William Martin, merchant at Talmage, Mo., is of English descent, born in September, 1825, and is one of five surviving members of a family of fourteen children born to Alexander and Ann (Laughlin) Martin. The father, who was a Tennesseean by birth, and a farmer by occupation, moved to Chariton County, Mo., in 1828, being one of the pioneer settlers of that county. He purchased land of the Government, and lived here until his death, which occurred in 1847, when he was about sixty years of age. William Martin came with his parents to Missouri, was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. He was married to Miss M. M. Crane, a daughter of John and Helena Crane, and the first white child born in Keytesville, Chariton Co., Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of three children: Walter T., Mary B., Mariah L. In 1864 our subject enlisted in Tyler’s Brigade, Confederates States Army, and was in Price’s raid; was captured and imprisoned at Rock Island, Ill., for five months, and after his release returned to Missouri. In the fall of 1880 he moved to Peirce City, where he invested in real estate, and in 1886 he came to Talmage, and has here since been engaged in the mercantile business, with good success financially. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Democrat in his political views. Mr. Martin is highly respected in the community in which he resides.