John Paxton Martin was born on his father's farm in Union Township, Parke County, Indiana June 27, 1867 and at the age of 71 years, 9 months and 14 days, on April 11, 1939, his immortal spirit passed into the keeping of his Savior.
He came into a fine heritage and well he lived up to it. He was the son and the youngest child of Robert L. and Nancy L. Harney Martin, both worthy descendants of early and outstanding pioneer families and his death marks the passing of all but one member of his father's family of 12 children -- his sister, Lila F. Crooks of Bellmore.
His father was a son of John Martin who bore the standard of Washington in the revolutionary war and with his wife, Margaret, came from Spartansburg South Carolina in 1821, being among the first settlers of Union Township These sturdy and intrepid pioneers traveled a distance of 600 miles by wagon thru a trackless wilderness. Young Robert then, but 6 years of age, grew up experiencing the hard life of the frontiersman -- hard, laborious work, privations and much care and from the lessons learned, developed habits of thrift and industry that covered his life
with domestic and civic worth and usefulness that descended
to his splendid family; and so it was that John P. Martin was brought up in the atmosphere of a home guided by folks whose
lives were governed by the high principles of right living and
right thinking.
He received his education in the school near his home except
for one year when he and his sister Lila attended a school in Jackson township in order to be under a tutelage of Stephen A. Pike, a high-ranking and popular teacher of those days.
Given his choice by his father of higher education or farming,
he chose the latter for he loved the cultivation of the soil and learned farming first hand from his careful, painstaking father. This occupation he followed the greater part of his life.
By hard work, good management and practical economy, taking
care of and judiciously using what he earned and acquired,
he became successful and prosperous and 12 years ago moved from
the farm to Bellmore for residence. However, he always kept in
touch with and directed his farming interests and was always busy doing some kind of lighter work.
December 20, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Florence L. Harmless with whom he lived content and happy until she was called to the Better Land -- January 8, 1938. After the death of his beloved wife he was very lonely and missed her very much but kept the home intact being fortunate in having a niece, Lela Taylor, to look well to his comfort and to manage household affairs. Two daughters blessed his marriage -- Blanche, now the wife of Ray Thomas of Judson rural route who was spared to be a blessing to her father, and May who married Charles Millemon and preceded the mother in death November 15, 1918. Besides the daughter, Blanche those of his immediate family left to mourn are one granddaughter, Florence Thomas of Judson rural route and two grandsons, Clyde Millemon of Greene Township and Cecil Millemon of Mishawaka.
In politics the deceased was an ardent Republican, as was his father before him and was honored by his party by being elected county commissioner which office he filled with efficiency and credit.
He was a warm, devoted friend and a pleasant, obliging neighbor.
He was a sincere advocate of all those things which stand for a better and nobler citizenship and for all those ideals which tend towards a higher and better life. He was a man of honor and integrity; in all social and business relations of life he was supremely honest and sincere. When his word was given it was as
good as his bond. His business creed was to ascertain the right thing to do and then to do the right thing under all circumstances. He was kindly spirited, wronged no man, but had deep sympathies
for the unfortunate. He made no show which he disliked and was his plain self at all times. His love for his family was ever and always attested by deeds and acts of generosity and loving kindness. He was an obedient son, affectionate brother, devoted husband; loving and indulgent father, an adoring grandfather and a real father to his son-in-law with whom he worked and lived in the utmost harmony. Although he never affiliated with any church in his religion he
held to the faith of the Predestinarian Baptist denomination and
it was in this strong faith and hope that he answered the call
of the Silent Messenger who came "almost in the twinkling of an eye," and passed to his reward.
John P. Martin lived his entire life in or near his place of birth and his exemplary life proved him to be a man of highest personal character, one who measured up to a well rounded citizenship and in his death the community has lost one long and intimately connected with it -- one who will long be kindly remembered for many noble qualities. "To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die." Impressive funeral services were held at Mt. Moriah Predestinarian Baptist Church at 11 o'clock, Friday morning, Rev. C.L. Airhart of New Market officiating. Mrs. Fred Belles and Mrs. E.E. Ramsey rendered in lovely voice,"Beautiful Isle," The Old Rugged Cross" and "In The Garden". Miss Chloe Collings, piano accompanist, and an obituary was read. The unusually large crowd in attendance at the services manifested the high esteem in which the deceased was held. The mortal remains were laid to rest in Mt. Moriah cemetery near by. The pallbearers were: Oscar Carmichael, Marion Martin, Alonzo Martin, Claude Noble, Albert Martin and Landon Pruett. They were preceded by a number of close friends who acted as honorary pallbearers and Mrs. Bert VanHuss, Miss Chloe Harmless, Mrs. Jamie Thomas and Mrs. Emery Brattain who carried the beautiful floral tributes.
Obit from an Unknown NewsPaper
Source: Added to this memorial, by Janet Milburn #47529747 from James D. VanDerMark;IndGenWeb/Indiana Genealogy Website.