Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-07-13
A FAMILIAR FACE CON T.

A FAMILIAR fACE GUNt.
DEATH OF REV. DIR. JOHN s,
MARTIN IN BALTIMORE
A SKETCH OF HIS LONG CAREER-HIS
MARRIAGE-THE BREAKING DOWN OF
HIS HEALTH-HIs LAST MOMENTs-HIS
BURIAL.
&C., &C.. &C.
There has hardly ever been in Staunton
a more familiar face than that of ReY. DIR.
John S. Martin. His residence here includ-
ed only about nine years, but the city was
as much loved by him as he was by it, and
at every opportunity he visited it-so
often that the people felt as if somehow
he still lived here. His face was more
familiar on our streets than the faces Of
men who had lived here for half century,
for the reason that there was hardly
man, woman or child. white or black, that
hadn't at some time or other received a
kindly salutation from it. Some days ago
when the news came that the venerable
minister was sick there was general feel
ing of anxiety, but when later his daughter
Mrs. Perry and grandson Mr.. W. ]. Perry,
were sum moDed to Baltimore, 1t deepened
to the greatest concern. He died on Sum
day night last at half past s O'Clock at
the parsonage of st. Paul's church, on
West Fayette street, of which church he
was pastor. He had reached his 73d year.
The "Sun' in an account OF his death
says that the first break in his remarkably
fine constitution took place two years ago
while he was Presiding Elder of the Win
chester District, but it was thought with
the less arduous duties of a stationary
pastor he would recover his robust health.
HIS DEATH.
About seven weeks ago a carbuncle
showed itself on his back. DR.. Jas. Bos-
ley was summoned, and in few days the
learned divine showed marked signs of
improvement. He seemed to be we'll on
his way to recovery when the kidneys be-
came affected and there were frequent
hemorrhages from them, which were final
ly checked, however, but the sufferer con-
tinued to wear away under the strain.
Drs. Alan P. Smith, J. Edwin Michael,
JAS, G. Linthlcum and S. G. Chew held
consultations, but were unable TO deter
mine the exact nature of the complica-
ton.
HIS MARRIAGE.
DR.. Martin married Miss Susan Ruff, Of
Rockbridge county, Va, in 1888. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. A. A.
Eskridge, now residing 10 Staunton, and
who is the Oldest surviving minister of the
old Baltimore Conference. The year before,
in 1887, Mr.. E. had married Margaret Isa-
bella Buchanan, a daughter of Mr.. John
Buchanan. residing in Rockbridge, twelve
miles from Lexington, and Rev. John S.
Martin, then young minister, had wait
ed on him. The next year Mr.. Eskridge
was stationed in Fincastle, and on his
way to conference had stopped at Mr..
Buchanan's, his father-i n-law. Late In
to Lexington and marry Mr. Martin. It
appeared that Mr.. Martin was to have heen
married by Rev. Mr.. Spriggs, who was al.
ready married to the other Miss Ruff, but
as the time came on Mr.. Spriggs became
so nervous that at last he said he could
not go through the ceremony. MIR. Esk-
ridge was therefore sent for and went and
performed the ceremony for his groomsman
of the year before. Only the family were
present. DR.. Martin and his wife lived hap
PLY through over fifty years. Their golden
wedding was celebrated a few months ago,
when congratulation poured in upon them
from every side for their attainment of
such ripe age. and the hope was express
ed that both would be spared many years.
Mrs. Martin and six children-fve
daughters and one son-survive him. His
son, Rev. Asbury r. Martin, is a supernu-
merary of the Baltimore Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
and resides at Goshen. Montgomery coun-
ty, Md. One daughter Mrs. Hattie Perry,
is the widow Of the Rev. W. J. Perry, and
lives in Staunton. Another daughter
married Mr.. Bell. of Prince Georges
county, Md, and another is the wife
of Rey. y. E. Hammond, formerly
merchant of Staunton, but now
local minister. Two daughters are IN
married A brother, Mr.. William Martin,
now lives in Philadelphia. These relatives
have been present during his illness, and
were with him in his last hours. A large
number of the members of the congrega-
ton Of St. Paul's were constant in their
solicitude and administration.
John Satchell Martin was born Septeni-
Der 7, 1915, at Alexandria, Virginia. His
father, Thomas L. Martin, born In
Northampton county, Va. was of Scotch
descent, and his mother was Harriet,
daughter of Robert Lamphier, of Hugue-
not family. Both his parents were Metho-
dists, and mis- grandparents on his mothers
side were among the first Methodists in
Alexandria, and at their home were enter
tanned Mckendree. Roberts, George and
many other early itinerants.
Young Martin was educated at the
famous institution of Benjamin Hallowell,
in Alexandria, He was converted in
August. 1882, when he was but sixteen
years old, and three years later was Ii
censed to preach. and was received on
trial into the Baltimore Conference in
March. 1885. From that time until his,
death he ministered faithfully in his call
ing. and he has left the impress of his
life-work in the Valley of Virginia, in
Baltimore, Northern Virginia and South
ern PENNSYLVANIA. where he labored in
every position, from the circuit, with