The Martin Family

From the collection of Lulu May Young nee Martin. She is my great grandmother and her efforts to preserve moments like these continue to live on and will no doubt live long after I'm gone. Standing L to R: John Kelly Martin Jr., Myrtle, Lulu May, Bert Sitting L to R: John Kelly Martin Sr., Jennie, Alice Cary Martin nee Gee

I cried the first time I saw this picture.  Mainly because the truth about genealogy is that it involves researching multitudes of faceless names.  This never made me less interested in my family tree but I can't describe the feeling when I see faces for the first time.  It is like seeing a ghost and I can remember several instances where my jaw literally dropped.  

At this point in my research I have become so familiar with my ancestors that I often talk about them as if they were living.  I'll catch myself saying "Jennie moved away to Washington and Bert married Nellie and lived on a farm in Kansas with no issue."  Although my immediate family on earth is very small, my family in heaven is massive.  

I give thanks to God for allowing me to do the research I have done and share it with others.

William Harris Martin's letter to nephew William Cook Martin

Below are the scanned photos of the front and back of the envelop and then the 4 page letter enclosed. Below the photos, I have transcribed this letter. William Harris Martin was born January 13, 1806 in Kentucky and died December 19, 1895 in Illinois. This letter is written by William Harris Martin to his nephew Reverend William Cook Martin born June 21, 1833 in Indiana and died November 22, 1909 in Iowa. Reverend William Cook Martin is my 3rd great grandfather.













Tuscola Illinois Feb 14th-85
Rev Wm C Martin
Dear Nephew
You can hardly appreciate the joy and gladness of my heart at receiving yours of the 27th of last month. I am so glad that God has called one of the Martin stock to labor in his vineyard, having taken on yourself holy orders to preach the word is a calling far above the common walks of life altho to be a Methodist preacher is not very profitable so far as dollars and cents is concerned. But if duty is faithfully performed in humble trust and faith, you will have stars of rejoicing in your crown and by and by shall return bring your sheanes with you, This will be a far richer treasure than this poor Earth can afford them. Let the Vanderbilt and Gould pour over their millions life soon passes away and where is their accumulated gold it is left behind. Not so with God's faithful followers. When their lamp of life is blown out,
they enter into possesion of their treasures which is lasting as God and eternity. We have here a "sweet prelibation of that glorious inheritance while we wander up and down" here below. We may "read our title clear to mansions in the sky prepared for us by our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." "Then let sickness blast and death devour." And poverty stare us in the face. We look beyond to our inheritance.
I regret to learn that your wife is an invalid for so long a time. I pray God to remove the trouble and restore her to health. Amen.
J H Martin family are well Mollie the oldest girl married Dr. Washburn of Atica Ind. Henry's are well his oldest girl Marie Jacob Smith have three children John is married and has a son no more of their children are married. Wills folks are well. Mr. Wm B. Wilson + Sophia is hear teaching superintendant of the high school salary $1200.00 per year but will move to Nebraska in June or July where he thinks he can do better & Jenkins and family are near.
Councill Bluff Iowa Mary you know is dead died without issue. Mc Cormick her husband is in Mineapolis Min. My health is good and I am tolerable active for a man of my age. I am in my 80th year since the 13th of Jan last.
I received a letter from Moses Akers he lives in North Lawrence Kansas has been confined to his room for over a year with rheumatics his physician tell him he will never get up again. He appears happy in a Saviours love. Write him a letter very soon or he may be gone no doubt it will cheer him to get a line from you.
There are many revivals of religion in Ohio, Ind and in this state. We are holding a protract effort in this town now with some success not with great manifestation of mighty power as you have seen it. Write often.
Your Uncle
Wm H Martin
P.S. You can see how my hand trembles and how many words I leave out. This is on account of age.
Wm H M