Biographical Sketch of William C. Martin, Dent County, Missouri >From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. ********************************************************************** William C. Martin, retired farmer and stock raiser, and one of the much esteemed citizens of Spring Creek Township, was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1826, his parents being George and Matilda (Childers) Martin, who probably spent all their lives in Tennessee. The father died about 1832 or 1833, and the mother followed him to the grave after her son, William C., came to Missouri. He was one of six children, and the only one who ever came to Missouri. He received a very meager education, and remained with his mother until twenty-three years of age. In 1849 he moved to Dent County, where he was married, in 1852, to Miss Rachel M. Barnes, a native of Alabama, born in 1830, and the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Barnes, who moved from one of the Carolinas to Alabama. In about 1844 the family removed from Alabama to Arkansas, and the next year from that State to Dent County, where her father died in 1880. The mother is still living, and is eighty-four years of age. Her father and mother came from Ireland at an early day. Her father left home before she was born, and she never saw him. Mrs. Martin's father was of Scotch origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born four sons and one daughter, all living: Eliza Jane, now Mrs. John Thomas Watson; William T.; John Westley, Francis Marion and George Washington, all of whom have had the best educational advantages. The youngest is a graduate of Dixon (Ill.) College. Since the war Mr. Martin has lived on his late farm, four miles north of Salem, and was the owner of 300 acres of land. He has just recently sold to his son-in-law. He dealt largely in stock, and is one of the county's most substantial citizens. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but of late years has been a Demo- crat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor in 1848. He and wife have been members of the Baptist Church for many years, and are members in good standing. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================