JAMES MARTIN is one of the progressive and therefore successful farmers of South Strabane township, and is a representative of an old pioneer family of the county. They were originally natives of York county, Penn., and toward the close of the eighteenth century, Peter Martin moved with his wife and family to Washington county, settling on the farm which is now occupied by his descendants. He died at the age of eighty years, having reared a family of seven children. James Martin, a son of this early settler, was born in 1792, in York county, Penn., coming with his parents to this county when a boy. In 1821 he was married to Mary White, who bore him children as follows: Peter B., born February 4, 1822; Samuel, born January 24, 1824; James, born December 12, 1826; John White (a merchant of Canonsburg, this county), born January 11, 1828; Matthew, born December 7, 1829; Mary Jane (deceased), born September 21, 1832; Ebenezer Henderson (drowned in the Potomac river), born June 21, 1834; Ann Elizabeth (deceased), born November 2, 1837; Elizabeth Margaret, born October 10, 1839; William Henry, born September 4, 1842, and Thomas Jefferson, born August 28, 1847. Mr. Martin continued to improve his farm, in connection with managing a sawmill, during his active business life. He was formerly a Whig, afterward a Republican, and held several political offices. In religion he first united with the Seceder Church, then joined the United Presbyterians. He died in 1887, having been preceded by his wife in 1878.
James Martin was reared on the home farm in North Strabane township, this county, and attended the common schools. He was early inducted into the mysteries of agricultural pursuits, and decided to devote his life to farming. He believed that a knowledge of science, especially of that branch which pertains to agriculture, was necessary to secure the highest success as a farmer. He has therefore read and studied much on the subject connected with his vocation. On November 12, 1868, James Martin was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Clokey. Samuel Clokey was a son of James Clokey, a native of County Down Ireland, who was reared and educated in the old country, coming to America at an early date. He settled in Dauphin county, Penn., remaining there until 1812, when he moved to Washington county and purchased the farm now occupied by his son, following farming and stock raising in connection with the distilling business most of his life. In politics he was an active worker in the Whig party, and in religion was a member of the Seceder Church at Peters Creek, and assisted in organizing the Seceder Church at Pigeon Creek. He was the father of two children: Sarah (Mrs. James Herron) and Samuel.
Samuel Clokey was born in Dauphin county, Penn., and came to Washington county at the age of eighteen years. He was married to Rebecca, daughter of Alexander McClure, of South Strabane township, and settled on the home farm, where the following children were born: James, Alexander, Mary J., Elizabeth (Mrs. James Martin), Sarah (wife of John G. Clark), Samuel, Abigail, Rebecca (married to George A. Dougherty) and Caroline. Of this family James, Alexander, Samuel and Abigail are deceased. Mr. Clokey was formerly a Whig, and then a Republican, being a leader both in political and business circles. In church connection he was first a Seceder, after uniting with the United Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek, in which he was a trustee and leading member. His wife died in 1878, and he rests by her side in the cemetery at Pigeon Creek.
James and Elizabeth (Clokey) Martin have had no children. He is a member and liberal supporter of the U. P. Church at Pigeon Creek. In politics he is an active member of the Republican party, though never accepting office.
Text taken from page 1187 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 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/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]