JOHN HENRY MARTIN
Is a son of Thomas Martin, who came from Ireland to Virginia, settling
in Bedford county, serving in the war of 1812. Thomas Martin married
Elizabeth Swain, whose father served in the Revolutionary war, and
settled in Bedford county some time in 1800. The subject of this sketch
was born in Bedford county, near Fancy Grove, May 12, 1824. His
first wife was Nancy Eliza Hagy, whom he married June 25, 1857.
They resided in Bristol, Tennessee, until her death, which occurred
March 20, 1860. The issue of this marriage was one daughter. Secondly
Mr. Martin married, in Washington county, Virginia, Melinda Lewis,
their marriage solemnized on January 30, 1868. She is the daughter
of John Lewis, born in Louisa county, Virginia, who married Sallie
Lynch. The Lewis and Lynch families were from Ireland, and early
settlers in Washington county.
Many of the Martin family and their near relatives were in military
service, under the Confederate government. Four of Mr. Martin's
brothers were in the army, two died in service, another was severely
wounded. His own service was first as a government employee and contractor,
but in 1863 he took the field, a member of Company K,
64th Virginia Mounted Infantry, with which he served till the close of
the war. He is now engaged in farming, residing at Meadow View.
