Moses Horst Martin

Son of Abraham Wenger & Anna Maria Horst-Martin & Husband of Leah Eshelman-Martin & Hannah Reichard-Martin

Around 1865 Moses Martin was engaged in sawing lumber at a mill which stood on the edge of the hill at the rear of the Millard Croop home on Clarence Ctr. Rd.

From the History of the Town of Clarence: by Oneta M. Baker-published-1983

Moses Martin, the youngest son of Abraham and Marie (Horst) Martin, was only a year old when his parents' brought their family from Pa. to make their home at Van Tine's Corners.

Moses received his education in the old brick schoolhouse which stood on the present Marzolf lot. As a young man, he took over the home farm, engaging not only in agriculture but also operating the Martin sawmill.

Mr. Martin was an industrious farmer, owning some 240 acres of farm land in this vicinity. His herd of Jersey cattle, brought from Pa., was said to have been the first registered dairy stock in the town.

Throughout his life, Moses Martin resided on the original Martin farm on Clarence Center Rd., west of the village. When his sons grew up, however, they were not interested in pursuing agricultlure, one of them becoming a doctor, others following the teaching profession. As the years passed, Mr. Martin's health failed and he was forced to give up farming. In 1892, he held an auction and rented the farm, reserving the right to continue living in the old homestead. John Zimmerman was his first tenant, and his family took up residence in the nearby Martin tenant house.

With each new tanant, in the years that followed, Mrs. Martin encouraged her husband to move into the smaller house and let the tenants live in the farm house, which by now as too large for just the two of them. However, Moses Martin had already lived seventy-three out of his seventy-four years in the old homestead and he was reluctant to leave it.

Finally, early in 1904, realizing his dependency on others, since he was now confined to a wheelchair, Mr. Martin agreed to comply with his wife's wishes. The new tenants were to be Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lindstedt. Everything was arranged for Mr. and Mrs. Martin to move into the tenant house by the first of April, the usual moving day for farm changes, so the Lindstedt's could take up residence in the stone farmhouse. The week before moving, Mr. Martin became seriously ill and on March 30, 1904, he passed away in the old home, almost as if he had willed it that way.

From thw Herald of Truth Obituary - April 1904

MARTIN-Moses Martin died at his home at Clarence Center NY March 30, 1904. the deceased was a son of Abraham and Marie (Horst) Martin and was born in Lancaster Co. Pa in 1830. When one year old his parents moved to a farm near Clarence Center, where the subject of this sketch practically spent all his life. He had been confined to the house for several years, suffering from a complication of diseases. The end came quiet and painless. He was 73 years, 6 months old. Bro. Martin was twice married. His first wife was Leah Eshelman, a daughter of the late Jacob Eshelman, and his second wife Hannah Reichard of Waterloo, Ontario, who survives him. He is also survived by eight children: Dr Andrew J Martin of Tonawanda, Sarah Lapp of Williamsville, Elias of Buffalo, Eliza Krehbiel, Oliver, Jonas, Amanda and Albert Martin of Clarence Center. When he was about 31 years of age he united with the Mennonite church and was ever after a faithful member. He was buried in the Clarence Center cemetery. His funeral was largely attended, Pre. Jacob Krehbiel officiating. Bro. Martin was a kind neighbor and a sincere Christian, and in his death this community loses one of its most esteemed and respected citizens.

Census-1880-also living with Moses Martin

Diller Kate-female-age-19 born NY-servant

1900-census-also living with Moses Martin

Laevagood Susanah-Sister-in-Law-born May 1832 in Canada-listed as a widow

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Oct 30 2016, 0:47:30 UTC