The ancestors of the Martin family herein recorded came to America from Holland, the land,of their birth. Abraham Martin was a grandson of the emigrant who settled in Gallupville, New York, on an unimproved tract of land, which he cleared and brought under partial cultivation. He handed the property down to the next generation, who made many further improvements.
(III) Abraham Martin, grandson of the original settler, was born on the Martin homestead in Gallupville, Schoharie county, New York. He was a shoemaker by trade, also a farmer, becoming a large land owner. He was twice married and had a large family, both wives bearing issue. He lived to be over eighty years of age, living to see his children grow up, marry and settle in homes of their own.
(IV) John, son of Abraham Martin, was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, New York, about the year 1805, died in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, aged seventy-five years. He was a shoemaker and a farmer.
He was a resident and land owner of New Scotland, Albany county, and a man of good standing. He supported the principles of the Democratic party. He married in New Scotland, Hannah, daughter of Albert Van Schaick, of that town. She survived him and died in Berne, over seventy years of age. Children:
- Albert, see forward;
- Abraham, now a resident farmer of New Salem; married Hannah Streble; children: Isaac, Fanny and George;
- Benjamin, now of Schenectady, New York, a carpenter and builder; married Elizabeth White; children: John and Flora;
- Frank, died unmarried, aged nineteen years;
- Peter, deceased;
- Ira, now of Albany, New York, a carpenter and builder; married Cisley Reid; child: James;
- Edward, a retired farmer of New Salem, Albany county; married Maria Osborne; no living issue;
- Mary, married Elam Stevens, of Albany; children: Byron, Louise and Harry.
(V) Albert, son of John and Hannah (Van Schaick) Martin, was born in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, New York, March 19, 1831, died at the home of his son Frank, March 1, 1910, buried in Mt. Pleasant cemetery.
He learned the blacksmith's trade and carried on business in the village of New Salem for many years. He later in life retired to a farm of about ninety acres, which he purchased in New Scotland. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was his wife. He was a life-long Democrat, and a man of extensive acquaintance, bearing a high reputation in his community. He married in New Scotland, December 8, 1858, Catherine E., born in that town, March 1, 1837, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Wormer) Matthias, both born in New Scotland. Henry was born in 1794, and died 1876, aged eighty-one years, six months. Margaret, his wife, died in 1851, aged forty-nine years, three months. Henry was a son of Elias and Margaret (Schupp) Matthias, who both died in New Scotland very old. They were members of the Lutheran church, parents of a large family, and noted for longevity, one son, John, dying in Schenectady, aged one hundred years, four months; other children of Elias Matthias were Frederick, Conrad, Hannah and Mary, all of whom lived to old age. Henry and Margaret Matthias had John, Margaret, Mary, Hannah, David, Catherine E., married Albert Martin, is now the only survivor (1910). Albert and Catherine E. (Matthias) Martin had one child, see forward.
(VI) Frank, only child of Albert and Catherine E. (Matthias) Martin, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, September 13, 1861. He was educated in the public schools, and is now an enterprising, successful farmer of New Scotland, owning and operating the homestead farm. He is also an extensive dealer in fertilizers. He is a man of substance and conducts his business affairs with energy. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, as is his wife. He married, near Font Grove, Albany county, November 27, 1888, Emma E. Wademan, born in New Scotland, June 12, 1868, daughter of Aaron and Hannah (McNabb) Wademan. Child:
- Catherine, born March 6, 1893, a student at Albany high school, class of 1912.