Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 603.
 
JOSEPHUS MARTIN

     who resides about two miles up Rock Creek from Olex, is one of the earliest
settlers in the territory now embraced in Gilliam county. He has been one of the
leaders here in stock raising for years and is well known all over this part of
the state. His life is intimately connected with the history of Gilliam county
and also he has been a pioneer to various other sections.
     Josephus Martin was born in Butler county, Ohio, on November 16, 1829, the
son of Roger and Mary Martin.  The former was born in Scotland and came with his
parents to Kentucky when small, whence they removed later to Ohio. The latter
was born in Ireland and came to Ohio when a young girl. She died when our
subject was nine years old. In his native place Josephus was educated and when
sixteen began to learn the carpenter trade. This occupied him until 1852, when
he took the trip to California via the isthmus. Until 1863 he was a resident of
the Golden State and then came to Oregon, spent the winter of 1864-5 in
Corvallis and in the spring in company with Conrad Schott he went to the Idaho
mines. For two seasons he did well in the vicinity of Idaho City, being in
partnership with Johnson and Smith. Then he formed a partnership with Conrad
Schott and John Shellady, and before the year of 1866 had passed away located on
Rock Creek, in what is now Gilliam county, and began raising stock. In 1868 he
and his partner, John Shellady, were each married, the date being February 8,
l868. Before marriage Mr. Martin's wife was Miss Alice Johnson. She was born in
Missouri in 1850, the daughter of Charles and Kesiah (Trapp) Johnson, natives of
Kentucky and Missouri respectively. During early times the Indians were very
savage and on two occasions Mr. Martin was compelled to take his family and flee
to a place of safety. Once when the Snakes were coming through a runner hurried
ahead and warned the settlers. The Indians intended to massacre all whites, but
the soldiers came on the scene and the savages took to the timber. On Rock Creek
near where Mr. Martin is now living was their old camping ground and he saw much
of them. In those days the only settlers were Daniel Leonard, who kept the
bridge on the John Day crossing, James Force, on Rock Creek, Charley Pensim,
better known as French Charley, Nicholas Stagg, a stockman, who was known as the
man who lived in the stone house, and Mr. Adams. They all had to go to The
Dalles for their mail, and all supplies came that way. Mr. Martin continued in
the stock business with wisdom and industry and soon became a well-to-do man.
He increased his holdings from time to time until the home estate is now fifteen
hundred acres. Eight hundred acres of this fine body of land are cropped to
wheat this year and bring a fine return. Mr. Martin is retired from the
activities of his business and the estate and stock are managed by his son,
Charles. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin are Mrs. Dora B. Wade,
Charles, Gertrude and Ray.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.