Frank Charles Martin (1855-1919) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Frank Charles Martin

Born 29 Jan 1855 in Perry Township, Allen, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Son of Auguste Joseph Martin and Josephine Virginia (Rassat) Martin

Brother of Julian J. Martin, Alexander August Martin, Henry J. Martin, Nestor Lewis Martin, August Emil Martin, Louise (Martin) Laurent and Josephine (Martin) Kehoe

Husband of Louise Agnes Marie (Urbine) Martin — married 8 May 1877 in Perry Township, Allen County, Indiana, USA

Descendants

Father of Leonore Louise (Martin) Sordelet, Florence Martin, Estella Mary (Martin) Schrader, Alice Mary Martin, Grace (Martin) Hardisty, Louise Belle Martin, Clarence August Martin, Eunice Faith (Martin) Carl, Frances Hope (Martin) Surfus, Moses E. Henry Martin, Edith Charity (Martin) Mommer, [private daughter (1890s - 1980s)] and Margaret Jesse (Martin) Weaver

Died 22 Mar 1919 at age 64 in Perry Township, Allen, Indiana, United States

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Profile last modified 5 Oct 2020 | Created 11 Mar 2016

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Biography

The following biographical sketch was included in "The Pictorial History Of Fort Wayne, Indiana" by B.J. Griswold:

Frank C Martin One of the most gratifying and consistent phases in the compilation of this history has been that it has been possible to incorporate within its pages specific mention of so appreciable a number of the representative exponents of farm industry in the county, and especially those who stand as scions of sterling pioneer families of this favored section of the old Hoosier commonwealth. Such an one as Mr Martin, who is one of the most substantial and progressive farmers and stock growers of Perry township, where his well improved farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, is eligibly situated in Section 35. His memory links the pioneer past with the present period of opulent prosperity and progress in Allen county, and in his youth he had his full share of the arduous work pertinent to the reclaiming of a farm from a virtual forest wilderness. He has been in the most significant sense one of the world's productive workers and has achieved success and substantial prosperity through his own ability and efforts. On both the paternal and distaff sides Mr Martin is a scion of pioneer families that were founded in Allen county in a very early day, and there is much of interest attaching to his genealogical history.

Mr Martin was born in Perry township this county January 29, 1855, a son of August J and Josephine Rassatt Martin, both of whom were born in France, the stage of much of the stupendous military operations in the great European war that is fiercely raging at the time of this writing. August J. Martin was a lad of twelve years at the time of the family immigration to America and his future wife was eleven years old when she accompanied her parents to this country. The Martins came to Stark county, Ohio, and the Rassatts settled in New York state, and it was from those localities that these two families came by medium of stage and ferry boat, to Allen county Indiana --- about the year 1844. Settlement was first made at Fort Wayne, which was then little more than a forest hamlet that clustered about the site of the old fort that gave to the present city its name. On the south line of Perry township August J Martin purchased a tract of heavily timbered land, at the rate of one dollar and twenty five cents an acre, and there instituted the reclaiming of a farm from the wilderness. He bore the full tension of pioneer life and aided in laying the foundation for the great superstructure of prosperity that later generations in the county were to enjoy, both he and his wife having passed the remainder of their lives on the old homestead farm. Of the children the subject of this sketch is the first born, and the other surviving members are Jules J., Alexander, Henry, Nestor, August E., Mrs Louise Laurent, and Mrs Josephine Cahoe. Charles is deceased. The boyhood and youth of Frank C. Martin were passed under the conditions and influences of the pioneer epoch in Allen county history, and it was his to gain the fullest fellowship with arduous toil and endeavor, to endure hardships with fortitude and to gain experience at first hand. He assisted his father in clearing and otherwise improving the home farm, his educational advantages were very limited but his ambition and vital mentality were such as to overcome this handicap in large measure, for he has made the best use of self discipline and has become a man of broad mental ken and mature judgment. He has studied and read with discrimination and speaks and reads French as well as English, thus showing a loyalty to the land of his ancestors. With the passing years Mr Martin made his labors count for advancement toward the goal of definite independence and prosperity, and he is now the fortunate owner of one of the finely improved and valuable farms of his native township and county. As a youth he assisted in the erection of the log house that was the family abode for a long term of years, and it is interesting to note that he and his brother Jules felled the trees and hewed the timber that were utilized in the construction of the present barn on his farm. He has since remodeled the structure and has also modernized the house on his farm When he reverts to the conditions that were in evidence in the pioneer days and then recalls that at the present time he utilizes in his farm enterprise the best of modern implements and machinery, even including a traction engine, Mr Martin must realize that he has himself been an exponent of progress and has played well his part in furthering civic and industrial prosperity in his native county. In connection with well ordered agriculture of diversified character Mr. Martin has been specially successful as a breeder and grower of fine live stock, including short horn cattle, Poland-China swine, and registered Cotswold sheep. The buildings on his farm are of a type that further indicates his progressiveness, and everything about the place betokens thrift and prosperity. In a general way Mr Martin supports the Democratic party, but in local affairs is independent of partisan lines and votes for men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. He and his wife are zealous communicants of St. Vincent's Catholic church in Washington township. It is pleasing to note that Mr. Martin has given to his fine homestead the attractive and consistent name of Oak Lane Farm.

On May 8, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Martin to Miss Louise A. Urbine, daughter of John B. and Adele Litot Urbine, natives of Alsace-Lorraine France, which is now a German province. The parents of Mrs. Martin were young when they came with their parents to America and established their home in Allen county, and both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mrs. Martin assisted in the construction of the pioneer canal that afforded to Fort Wayne its first definite medium for transportation, besides which the paternal grandmother likewise assisted in the arduous work, with payment equal to that paid to her husband and she sturdily used a wheelbarrow and other primitive implements with remarkable vigor. The parents of Mrs. Martin were honored members of the farming community in Perry township until their death and their names merit enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers of the county. Their surviving children are James, Mrs. Mary Morrell, Mrs Louise A. Martin, and Mrs. Clara Bobay. Frank is deceased. In conclusion is given record concerning the large and interesting family of Mr. and Mrs. Martin: Leonore L. was born September 30, 1877, and on February 13, 1900, became the wife of Victor Sordelet. They reside in Perry township and have three children ---Alfred, Hubert ,and Crystal. Florence I., who remains at the parental home, was born August 3, 1879. Stella M., who was born November 26, 1880, is the wife of Edward Schrader of New Haven, their marriage having been solemnized May 1, 1900. They became the parents of six children, all of whom are living except the fourth, Robert. The names of the surviving children are Walter, Frank, Edna, Maurice, and John. Alice M., the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Martin, was born October 15, 1882, and remains a member of the home circle. Grace A., born November 14, 1884, is the wife of George Hardesty of New Haven, their marriage having occurred July 26, 1911. Clarence A., who was born September 10, 1888, resides in Bluffton. His marriage to Miss Adeline Sordelet was made a matter of record on November 25, 1916. Frances H., who was born May 17, 1891, was united in marriage to John B Surface, March 5, 1912, and her death occurred on the 23d of the following month. Eunice F., born May 17, 1891, a twin of Frances H., became the wife of Adlore Carl July 2, 1912, and they have three children ---Hazel, Martin and Wanda. Edith C., born February 27, 1895. Viola J., born February 15, 1898, and Margaret J., born April 4, 1900, are the younger members of the gracious home circle. Louise B. died at the age of four months, and Moses E., who was born September 1, 1892 died September 10, 1901.^[1]

Sources

↑ Griswold, B. J., and Samuel R. Taylor. The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana: a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River. Vol. 2. Chicago: Robert O. Law Co., 1917. Books.google.com. Google.com. Web. 19 Jan. 2017.