Hazen B. Martin, a highly respected resident of Franklin and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Bradford, Vt., March 17, 1834, son of Benjamin and Sally (Barker) Martin. Both parents, as well as the grandfather, Levi Barker, were natives of Bradford. The latter was a farmer and a cooper. Benjamin Martin died in 1863, and his wife died in 1864. Of their twelve children, five died young. Those who lived to maturity were: Bailey, Benjamin Franklin, Alba G., the Rev. Albert H., Lydia S., Catherine, and Hazen B. Bailey wedded Mary McIntire, and died at the age of thirty-six years. Benjamin Franklin lived in Athens, Ohio. The Rev. Albert H., who married for his first wife Abigail Pickett, of Bradford, Vt., and for his second Maria Leavitt, of Franklin, and died January 19, 1895, had preached fifty-three years as a Christian minister. Lydia S. married Harran Wilmot, and both are now deceased. Catherine and her husband, John McIntire, have also passed away.
Hazen B. Martin was educated in the common schools, and resided at home until seventeen years old. He worked as a farm assistant until twenty-two, and then went to Manchester, N.H., where he later learned the moulder’s trade.
The seventh volunteer in Manchester, he enlisted on April 22, 1861, in the Abbott’s August of the same year, when he marched with his regiment from Washington to the front. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, and was present at the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the seven days’ fight, and Malvern Hill. In August, 1862, he was taken prisoner and confined for six weeks in Libby Prison. After his release he was taken to Fortress Monroe, where he suffered a long illness. When restored to health, he was transferred to Annapolis, Md. Later he went to Camp Falmouth; and in March, 1863, he came home on a furlough. He was discharged in the following June at Concord on account of physical disability. The illness contracted in the army continued with him for many months after. In 1865 he returned to Manchester, and later resumed his trade in Nashua. From that city he went to Bridgeport, Conn., where he worked as long as his health permitted. Then he obtained employment of a less arduous nature upon a railroad. An accident laid him up for six months. In 1873 he settled in Franklin, upon what is known as the Dimond farm. Since then he has followed agriculture and peddled tinware upon the road.
Mr. Martin has been three times married. His first marriage was made with Martha Tuttle, of Manchester. His second united him to Kate Dimond, of Franklin. His present wife was formerly Mrs. Carrie Hildreth Harvey. She was born in Bethlehem, N.H., April 21, 1847, daughter of Elias and Hannah (Nourse) Hildreth, of whose seven children Sarah, Carrie, and Addie are living. Mrs. Martin’s first husband was G. W. Wesley, of Bethlehem, N.H., who belonged to the third generation from Charles and John Wesley, the founders of Methodism. He died October 20, 1867, leaving one son, George W. Mrs. Martin’s second husband was Daniel Harvey, who died in 1880. By his first marriage Mr. Martin has three children-Roscoe, Ella F., and Amon H. By his present union he has one daughter-Minnie May, born July 29, 1886. Politically, Mr. Martin is a Republican. He is a member of Granite Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., of Nashua; of the Pilgrim Fathers, the Good Templars, and the grange; and he is a comrade of George F. Swett Post, No. 38, G. A. R., of Franklin.