Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 250
MARTIN L. COYNER, a retired farmer, residing on section 23, Pike Township, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., on the 25th of May, 1818, and is a son of John and Nancy ( Zimmerman ) Coyner. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Kentucky, but her parents came from the former State. Martin was one of a family of six children, of whom he was the eldest, and four are yet living; James B., is now deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of Robert Coyner, who was a distant relative, and resides in Virginia; Robert is also living in Virginia; Sarah died when sixteen years of age; and Archibald is a resident of Virginia.

When a young man John Coyner left his native county, and emigrated to Jessamine Co., Ky., where he became acquainted with the lady whom he afterward married. In 1817, accompanied by his family, he returned to his native State, but remaining only a short time, he again went to Kentucky, and in the autumn of 1831 removed to Marion County, Ind., where he continued to reside until 1834. At that time he once more went to Kentucky, but later moved to Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1851. Mrs. Coyner died in her native State in 1834.

At the early age of thirteen years our subject began life for himself as a salesman in a general mercantile store in Indianapolis, Ind., in which line of business he continued until 1839. He had previously received a limited education in the common schools of his native State, and in the year mentioned established a general merchandise store on the National road, between Terre Haute and Indianapolis, Ind., under the firm name of M. L. Coyner & Co. This connection continued until 1844, when, on account of failing health, he closed out the business, and removed to Lawrence County, Ind., where he purchased a small farm, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Eight years were spent in this occupation, when, in the fall of 1852, he sold out, and, journeying westward until he crossed the Father of Waters, located in Linn County, Iowa. Again purchasing land, he engaged in its cultivation until the spring of 1866, when he settled permanently in Muscatine County, Iowa,and purchased 200 acres of land on sections 23 and 24, of which he deeded his son 120 acres. He has since purchased eighty acres on section 23, which he has deeded to his daughter. These lands are the best farming lands to be found in this section of the country.

On the 2d of July, 1840, Mr. Coyner led to the altar Miss Ingray J. Hollenbeck, their union being celebrated in Putman County, Ind. This lady was born in Washington County, Ind., July 26, 1824, and is a daughter of John and Rhoda ( Henderson ) Hollenbeck, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Six children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Coyner, but only one has been spared by the hand of death, a daughter, Alice, who still makes her home with her parents. Those deceased are Jasper N., Leannah, Julia A., Alexander and Adeline. Jasper N. enlisted as a member of Company D in the 12th Iowa Infantry, and died while gallantly fighting in the service of his country. His remains were brought back to Linn County, Iowa, and laid to rest in one of its beautiful cemeteries. For forty-six years Mr. and Mrs. Coyner were members of the Baptist Church, but now hold their membership with the Christian Church of Nichols Station. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party, and was a strong advocate of Hon. Benjamin Harrison. In early life he affiliated with the Whig party, and in 1840 voted for William Henry Harrison, the grandfather of the President-elect. He has held various official positions in the township, has been Secretary of the School Board both in Muscatine and Linn Counties for more than twenty years, and is numbered among the prominent citizens of Pike Township. All public enterprises which have for their object the best interests of the community receive his liberal support, and no man is more deserving of the respect and confidence of the entire people.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page