MARTIN, Joseph W. (deceased), for many years a resident of Springfield, was born in Ohio County, Ky., not far from Owensboro (Daviess County), November 16, 1838, and was left an orphan at an early age. When nine years of age he came to Sangamon County, with an uncle, James Lynn. He attended the public schools of Ohio County, Ky., and Sangamon County, Ill., and was reared to farming, which he followed until he retired from active life and moved to Springfield. After his marriage he began farming on his own account, purchasing ninety acres of land in Buffalo Hart Township, Sangamon County, where he became successful and held various public and private offices of trust. He served on Grand and Petit Jury for years, and acted as guardian for several persons. He was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen and a liberal contributor to several churches. He was not a member of any church, but had a leaning toward Methodism. After locating in Springfield he attended the Presbyterian Church. He was public-spirited and enterprising, and in politics was a strong Republican.

Mr. Martin was married (first), September 11, 1864, to Miss Mary Jane Robison, daughter of John W. Robison, who died on the home farm July 8, 1888. He was married (second) September 11, 1895, to Mrs. Mary E. (Glose) Davis, daughter of Martin Glose, who was a well-known farmer of Logan County, Ill., and by his second marriage had two children. Mr. Martin moved with his family to Springfield, in 1903. By his first marriage his children were: Jesse, deceased; William H., Robert, Lena M., Ernest A. By his second marriage his children were: Alvine McKinley, died at the age of five years; George D., died at the age of eight years.

Mrs. Martin was born in Fulton County, Ind., October 12, 1857, and when a babe moved with her parents to Ohio. Later they came back to Indiana and, when she was eleven years old, to Sangamon County, Ill. She was married (first), at Lincoln, Ill., July 4, 1878, to James T. Davis, who was born east of Elkhart, Ill., and there reared to manhood. His father, Cyrus Davis, was wounded at Shiloh and died from the effects of the wound before reaching home. He was also a veteran of the Mexican War. James T. Davis died at Mt. Pulaski, Ill., November 24, 1890. He and his wife had four children: Maud, Mrs. Ralph McIlvaine, of Topeka, Kan.; Bessie, Mrs. Sidney Reid, of Springfield; Lois Nancy, Mrs. Clarence Unsbee, of Springfield; one child died in infancy.