John Martin
John Martin, one of the best-known and oldest business men of Lima, who has conducted a saddle and harness business here for more than a quarter of a century, was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 19, 1827, and is a son of Charles and Christiana (Menchey) Martin.
Charles Martin, father of our subject, was born in Germany and in 1820 became one of the early settlers of Richland County, Ohio, where he remained until after the birth of his son John, removing then to Crawford County. Some years later he located in Huron County, where he lived until his death, which occurred about 1875. He reared a family of five children, namely: Henry, John, Mary, George and Samuel.
John Martin obtained his education in the district schools of Crawford and Huron counties and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until 1845, when he commenced to learn the saddle and harness-maker's trade at Savannah, Ashland County, which was then in Huron County. He finished his apprenticeship and became a journeyman at Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. Later he settled at Tiffin, Seneca County, this State, where he engaged in business. In 1876 he came to Lima and established himself at his present business site, No. 144 South Main street, which is also his residence. Mr. Martin has seen Lima expand from a town into a city, and in every legitimate enterprise has assisted in its development. During all the years of his business life he has enjoyed a satisfactory amount of patronage, since he has retained his customers through honorable and intelligent dealings. It has been a matter of pride with Mr. Martin to keep a complete stock of goods, standard in every way, and to continue to conduct his business in the same honorable way in which it was started. His stock is valued at $3,000. He has survived many of the old business firms.
At Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, Mr. Martin married Lucy K. Parker, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio. Her father, who was a native of New York State, was a farmer in the years of his early manhood, later becoming an attorney. Mrs. Martin's mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, of whom three reached maturity, namely: C. F., born in Pleasant township, Hancock County, Ohio, September 29, 1854, who is a resident of Ottawa, Ohio; Samuel H., born in McComb, Ohio, February 10, 1857; Harry H., born August 2, 1863, and who died May 23, 1896, and Eva May, born August 8, 1866, who is the wife of Wallace Landis, of Lima. Mr. Martin is a Republican.