Martin, John

Rev. John Martin died at his residence in Ovid, Clinton county, Michigan, Feb. 4, 1887, aged 89 years. Rev. John Martin was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1797. Trained by parents who needed his earlier services, at the age of thirteen he 117 set out from home, having one suit of clothes, his sole earthly possession. Following the year 1817, which marked the beginning of his Christian experience, a devout and energetic spirit bore him up during
many seasons of privation and hardship. In the next year he was married to the one who, for more than 50 years, has stood faithfully by his side through all that life hath brought him. To meet the imperative needs of a rapidly growing family of six children, in 1831 he sold his possessions in New York state, and, on the 2d of August, set out for the territory of Michigan. After a three weeks' journey they settled in the township of Troy, Oakland county, having just $2 left (after paying traveling expenses) for a cow and a few acres of land. At that time, as the deceased has often said, the ground now covered by Detroit was occupied only by French farms and a few post traders' huts. When Father Martin first settled there were only 27 ministers of all denominations in the territory, himself being the only one in his county. He at once gave all his spare time to the work of the Gospel, and so continued until 1846, when failing health compelled his release from public labor. The largest annual salary that he ever received was $70. During that year he attended 24 covenant meetings, broke bread as many times, baptized, visited,
addressed a Sunday school once in two weeks, attended 4 ministerial conferences, 4 councils, 1 association; preached in 22 school houses, 14 dwelling houses, 2 meeting houses and one grist mill. In performing this labor he traveled 1,500 miles on foot and horseback. As a fitting close of a life of 90 years so full of good works, he goes to his rest in peace,
firmly trusting that “He is faithful that promised.” The subject of the above notice from the Ovid Register and Union was one of the earliest and best known settlers in Clinton county. He was not a cultured preacher, but a practical minister, with words and advice suited to the times and the field he worked in. His temperament and social nature peculiarly fitted him for the pioneer work he followed so devotedly. He was one of old Ben Franklin's kind of men, whistled while he worked, was always happy himself, and his cheerful nature was an inspiration in every log cabin he entered. In every pioneer home Elder John Martin was welcome, and the altar fires in every family with whom he tabernacled for a night were brightened by his coming. Measuring his reward by the sacrifices made, there are many jewels in the crown of his
rejoicing.