William C. Martin was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 26, 1843, and is a son of Serrephus and Elizabeth Martin, nee Rose. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of Pennsylvania; she died in the State of Ohio when lie was about twelve years of age, but his father is still a resident of Fredonia, Licking County, Ohio. William was educated in Licking County, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen his youthful patriotism induced him to enlist as a member of Company H, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but being so young his father obtained his discharge. He was not satisfied, however, and again at eighteen years of age enlisted in Company C, Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and although he did not obtain his father’s free consent, he left with the patriotic injunction, “My son, if you must go, never return to me shot in the back.” He served faithfully with this regiment three years, and May 27, 1864, was very severely wounded in the neck and given up to die, but survived. After the close of the war in 1865 he settled in Daviess County, and was married, November 12, 1865, to Miss Orcelia J. Swisher, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 18, 1842, and is a daughter of Rev. Isaac and Amanda Swisher, nee Denison. Her mother died May 3, 1881; her father is still a resident of this County. Her mother was a very devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Four children have been the fruits of this marriage: Alta J., born August 14, 1866; Charles H., born February 14, 1868; Isaac O. S., born July 14, 1874; and Rosa M., horn January 26, 1876. Mr. Martin and family are very highly esteemed members of, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of society. He has in a few years earned a fine home of eighty acres of land by hard work and good management.
