MATTHEW W. MARTIN
John and Mathew Martin settled upon section 10, in the fall of 1860, where Mathew is still living. [sic Matthew]
Matthew W. Martin was born in Braxton county. West Virginia, January 14, 1842. His father emigrated to Miami county, Ohio, when Matthew was young, and in the fall of 1852, moved to McHenry county, Illinois. His occupation was farming. In 1859, he removed with his family to Ray county, Missouri, where he bought a farm and intended to remain, but on the breaking out of the Rebellion, being of pronounced Union sentiments, he was obliged to leave, and was glad to get away. His loss by this compulsory removal amounted to six thousand dollars. He went back to McHenry county, Illinois, and died there in 1863. His wife, Barbara Martin, died the same year. Matthew W. Martin enlisted, September 4, 1862, in company H, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry. His regiment was a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by General A. J. Smith in the Red river campaign. He took part in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg and battle of Nashville, when General Thomas routed Hood's army. Also the battles at Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort at Mobile. He was honorably discharged August 17, 1865, and returned to McHenry county. The following fa11 he settled in Marshall county, Iowa, where he remained three years, then came to Cass county and bought, in partnership with his brother, John Martin, one hundred and twenty acres in section 10, Bear Grove. Mr. Martin was married in this town, in 1870, to Helen M. Farmer, a native of Indiana, born in 1855. Her parents, William and F. Farmer, are both living with Mr. and Mrs. Martin. They occupy a farm of eighty acres in section 16. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin--Harry, Ethel, Roy and Earl.
Contributed by Lisa Varnes-Rex from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 713.
