John G. Martin, p. 1012

JOHN G. MARTIN was born March 17, 1824, in Wales, and passed his early childhood amid the wild scenes of that picturesque land. His father, William Martin, was born in Scotland, and was married to Margaret Creighton, a highland lassie. The young couple resided in Wales for some time after their marriage, and in 1832 sailed to America, first locating near Allegheny City, Allegheny Co., Penn., where he followed gardening. About 1860 they moved to Alliance, Ohio, where he died in 1870, followed by his wife in 1874. They were the parents of the following named children: John G.; William, living in Alliance, Ohio; Isabelle, wife of Joseph Kirkpatrick, a miner, of Upper Michigan; Mrs. Marion Porter, living near Alliance, Ohio, and Maggie, widow of John Atwell, of Mount Union, Ohio.

John G. Martin came with his parents to Allegheny county, Penn., in 1832, and remained there until 1850, when he was married December 20 of that year to Charlotte D. Allen, a native of Washington county, Penn., and daughter of Abiah Allen. The grandparents of Abiah Allen were Joseph and Deborah (Hill) Allen. Joseph Allen was a native of England, and member of the Quaker Society. He came to America about the year 1770, and in 1774 took out a patent for a large tract of land on the Monongahela river, in Washington county, Penn. Ten years later he secured 354 additional acres, called "Allen's Delight." This farm adjoined his first purchase, and the two tracts contained over 880 acres of land, which he divided among his children in 1799, keeping one portion for himself and wife. In this pioneer home, surrounded by the beasts of the forest and wild Indians, were born the following children: Eli, John, Samuel, William, Joshua, Emma (Mrs. Thomas Stockdale), Deborah (Mrs. Wenders), and Benjamin. The latter son received no land, but was dependent upon the others for his support. The father died at an advanced age in 1839. Joshua, son of Joseph and Deborah (Hill) Allen, was born on the home farm in Allen township, Washington county, and when a young man was married to Elizabeth McCrory. They passed their lives on the old place.

Abiah Allen, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (McCrory) Allen, was born in 1799, in Allen township, Washington county, where he grew to manhood. In 1822 he was married to Mary Hough, who, was born in 1799, in Fayette county, Penn., where the wedding ceremony took place. They settled in Allen township, Washington county, and five children were born to them, namely: Maria Ellen, wife of John White; David B. H., who died in Westmoreland county, Penn., in 1880; Charlotte D. (Mrs. Martin); Barbara Ann (widow of Wilson Jackman), in Galva, Ill., and Alexander Bonaparte, of Cleveland, Ohio. The parents always resided on the home place. In 1847 the father was killed by falling from a tree; his widow died in 1887.

John G. and Charlotte D. (Allen) Martin moved to their present home in Allen township, in the spring of 1850. The place contains 120 acres of fertile land where he is engaged in gardening and general agriculture. He is actively interested in politics, voting with the Republican party, and has served for years as a member of the school board. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church at Fayette City. Their children have been born as follows: Maggie, wife of George Maxwell, of Allen township; William D.; Mary Belle, wife of Herman McFall, living on the home place, and Eliza Jane, deceased wife of George Maxwell.

Text taken from page 1012 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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