Grand Island Daily Independent Saturday 25 March 1893
Obituary
Hon. John L. Martin, or as he was more commonly known "Honest John L. Martin" of Merrick county, a sturdy old frontiers man and pioneer of pioneers in this state, died at his residence near Chapman, Merrick county, Nebraska, March 15th, 1893, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the 80th year of his age.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1813, and with his parents emigrated to Ohio while yet a boy where he grew to man's estate and studied law in Canton, Ohio. In 1841 he was married to Rebecca Caskey who shared with him the perils of the frontier life, and was the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living. She died July 27th, 1873, on the homestead near Chapman.
Mr. Martin was one of the adventurous "fortyniners" who crossed the plains during the California gold excitement returning after an absence of about three years, and emigrated to Nebraska in 1859, settling first in Platte county where he resided until May 1861 when he removed to his home in Merrick county where he resided up to the time of his death. He contracted a second marriage with Elmira Cunningham by whom he has four children all of whom survive him.
He was a prominent figure in the early history of the state and took an active part in the organization of Merrick county and the admission of Nebraska into the Union, and was during all his life an enthusiastic republican and a tireless advocate of the principles of the party, and his straightforward, honorable course won for him the confidence and respect of political friends and foes alike.
He was in no sense an office seeking republican but obeyed the call of duty and held during his life many minor official positions. He was county superintendent of Public Instruction from 1865 to 1867, was county judge from 1871 to 1874, and a justice of the peace in his township from 1871 to the date of his death with the exception of two years.
In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church, but in later years united with the M. E. church of which organization he remained a consistent, active member until his death. Strong in his conviction of his right and duty in public and private life, he won for himself the no?????et of "Honest" John L. Martin, and by this name was generally known throughout the state more especially with those identified with the state's early history. He valued the good will of his fellow men above official title and was in no sense a seeker for political preferment, and the public offices that he held came to him unsought.
His death removes a picturesque figure from the history of the state, Merrick county loses an active influential and public spirited citizen, his children and family a kind and indulgent father, and the community at large an honest citizen and an upright man.
Obituary
Hon. John L. Martin, or as he was more commonly known "Honest John L. Martin" of Merrick county, a sturdy old frontiers man and pioneer of pioneers in this state, died at his residence near Chapman, Merrick county, Nebraska, March 15th, 1893, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the 80th year of his age.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1813, and with his parents emigrated to Ohio while yet a boy where he grew to man's estate and studied law in Canton, Ohio. In 1841 he was married to Rebecca Caskey who shared with him the perils of the frontier life, and was the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living. She died July 27th, 1873, on the homestead near Chapman.
Mr. Martin was one of the adventurous "fortyniners" who crossed the plains during the California gold excitement returning after an absence of about three years, and emigrated to Nebraska in 1859, settling first in Platte county where he resided until May 1861 when he removed to his home in Merrick county where he resided up to the time of his death. He contracted a second marriage with Elmira Cunningham by whom he has four children all of whom survive him.
He was a prominent figure in the early history of the state and took an active part in the organization of Merrick county and the admission of Nebraska into the Union, and was during all his life an enthusiastic republican and a tireless advocate of the principles of the party, and his straightforward, honorable course won for him the confidence and respect of political friends and foes alike.
He was in no sense an office seeking republican but obeyed the call of duty and held during his life many minor official positions. He was county superintendent of Public Instruction from 1865 to 1867, was county judge from 1871 to 1874, and a justice of the peace in his township from 1871 to the date of his death with the exception of two years.
In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church, but in later years united with the M. E. church of which organization he remained a consistent, active member until his death. Strong in his conviction of his right and duty in public and private life, he won for himself the no?????et of "Honest" John L. Martin, and by this name was generally known throughout the state more especially with those identified with the state's early history. He valued the good will of his fellow men above official title and was in no sense a seeker for political preferment, and the public offices that he held came to him unsought.
His death removes a picturesque figure from the history of the state, Merrick county loses an active influential and public spirited citizen, his children and family a kind and indulgent father, and the community at large an honest citizen and an upright man.
Grand Island Daily Independent Saturday 25 March 1893
Obituary
Hon. John L. Martin, or as he was more commonly known "Honest John L. Martin" of Merrick county, a sturdy old frontiers man and pioneer of pioneers in this state, died at his residence near Chapman, Merrick county, Nebraska, March 15th, 1893, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the 80th year of his age.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1813, and with his parents emigrated to Ohio while yet a boy where he grew to man's estate and studied law in Canton, Ohio. In 1841 he was married to Rebecca Caskey who shared with him the perils of the frontier life, and was the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living. She died July 27th, 1873, on the homestead near Chapman.
Mr. Martin was one of the adventurous "fortyniners" who crossed the plains during the California gold excitement returning after an absence of about three years, and emigrated to Nebraska in 1859, settling first in Platte county where he resided until May 1861 when he removed to his home in Merrick county where he resided up to the time of his death. He contracted a second marriage with Elmira Cunningham by whom he has four children all of whom survive him.
He was a prominent figure in the early history of the state and took an active part in the organization of Merrick county and the admission of Nebraska into the Union, and was during all his life an enthusiastic republican and a tireless advocate of the principles of the party, and his straightforward, honorable course won for him the confidence and respect of political friends and foes alike.
He was in no sense an office seeking republican but obeyed the call of duty and held during his life many minor official positions. He was county superintendent of Public Instruction from 1865 to 1867, was county judge from 1871 to 1874, and a justice of the peace in his township from 1871 to the date of his death with the exception of two years.
In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church, but in later years united with the M. E. church of which organization he remained a consistent, active member until his death. Strong in his conviction of his right and duty in public and private life, he won for himself the no?????et of "Honest" John L. Martin, and by this name was generally known throughout the state more especially with those identified with the state's early history. He valued the good will of his fellow men above official title and was in no sense a seeker for political preferment, and the public offices that he held came to him unsought.
His death removes a picturesque figure from the history of the state, Merrick county loses an active influential and public spirited citizen, his children and family a kind and indulgent father, and the community at large an honest citizen and an upright man.
Obituary
Hon. John L. Martin, or as he was more commonly known "Honest John L. Martin" of Merrick county, a sturdy old frontiers man and pioneer of pioneers in this state, died at his residence near Chapman, Merrick county, Nebraska, March 15th, 1893, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the 80th year of his age.
He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12th, 1813, and with his parents emigrated to Ohio while yet a boy where he grew to man's estate and studied law in Canton, Ohio. In 1841 he was married to Rebecca Caskey who shared with him the perils of the frontier life, and was the mother of seven children, six of whom are still living. She died July 27th, 1873, on the homestead near Chapman.
Mr. Martin was one of the adventurous "fortyniners" who crossed the plains during the California gold excitement returning after an absence of about three years, and emigrated to Nebraska in 1859, settling first in Platte county where he resided until May 1861 when he removed to his home in Merrick county where he resided up to the time of his death. He contracted a second marriage with Elmira Cunningham by whom he has four children all of whom survive him.
He was a prominent figure in the early history of the state and took an active part in the organization of Merrick county and the admission of Nebraska into the Union, and was during all his life an enthusiastic republican and a tireless advocate of the principles of the party, and his straightforward, honorable course won for him the confidence and respect of political friends and foes alike.
He was in no sense an office seeking republican but obeyed the call of duty and held during his life many minor official positions. He was county superintendent of Public Instruction from 1865 to 1867, was county judge from 1871 to 1874, and a justice of the peace in his township from 1871 to the date of his death with the exception of two years.
In early life he was a member of the Lutheran church, but in later years united with the M. E. church of which organization he remained a consistent, active member until his death. Strong in his conviction of his right and duty in public and private life, he won for himself the no?????et of "Honest" John L. Martin, and by this name was generally known throughout the state more especially with those identified with the state's early history. He valued the good will of his fellow men above official title and was in no sense a seeker for political preferment, and the public offices that he held came to him unsought.
His death removes a picturesque figure from the history of the state, Merrick county loses an active influential and public spirited citizen, his children and family a kind and indulgent father, and the community at large an honest citizen and an upright man.
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