Age: 79 years 11 months 26 days


Obituary:

   Mrs. Hannah Martin, wife of Rev. Joshua Martin, died of heart failure at 6 o’clock last evening at her home 1204 Jackson street. Mrs. Martin was almost 80 years old and she has lived in Topeka since 1876, when the family moved from Girard.
   She has been a member of the Methodist church all her life and has been an earnest worker in the First M. E. church of this city.
   She was the mother of thirteen children, twelve of whom lived to womanhood and to manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were married fifty-nine years ago and when their golden wedding was celebrated all but one of the twelve children were present. Two have since died. Mrs. Martin was a woman of fine character, courageous in misfortune; patient in suffering.
   The funeral has not yet been arranged as members of the family who live at a distance have been notified, and the arrangements will not be made until they are heard from.

—Topeka State Journal (Topeka, KS), August 15, 1894, 3:4.


Golden Wedding Anniversary:

FIFTY YEARS.
Golden Wedding of Rev. and Mrs. Joshua Martin Thursday Evening.

   The rarity of the fiftieth wedding anniversary makes tem most important events, and when celebrated by so well known and respected a couple as Rev. and Mrs. Joshua Martin, the importance of the event is doubled.
   On the 8th day of January, 1835, at Senecaville,, Ohio, Mr. Joshua Martin and Miss Hannah Dilley were joined in the hold bonds of matrimony. For fifty years have they shared the joys and sorrows of life together, and have lived to stand at the head of three generations after them. Young and old alike will appreciate the many cares necessary to such an age. Last Thursday evening this fine old couple celebrated their fiftieth anniversary and these three generations were present.
   The guests began arriving at the family residence, No. 350 Jackson street, at about 6 o’clock, and were received by Mr. and Mrs. Martin. At 8:30 Heck’s unparalleled orchestra played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” and the bride and groom of fifty years ago entered the parlor, and at the opposite side of the beautifully decorated room stood under a banner of garnet velvet and gold, bearing the dates “1835-1885.” Following them came the bridesmaid and groomsman, being represented in the persons of two beautiful children, Miss Clara Hill, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Master Ralph Martin, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and aged respectively 7 and 8 years. Both are grandchildren of the bride and groom. The little ones were costumed to represent the bride and groom of “ye olden time,” when Mr. and Mrs. Martin were married. Master Ralph was attired in a suit of dark blue broad cloth, cut in style of 1835, with claw hammer coat, trimmed with gold buttons on the front, back and tail, vest of black velvet cut in broad fall style. He looked very quaint, indeed. Miss Clara’s costume was a golden brown (snuff color) stain dress made with full skirt, short round waist, and cut low and fastened in the back. The low neck was filled in with lace and the sleeves were the old fashioned puffed or “mutton leg.” A white brocade dress kerchief adorned her shoulders, laying in folds to and under a belt of white satin. The hair was combed high, puffs in front and high combs in back. A white lace head dress, silk gloves and toe slippers completed the little one’s costume. Both these young folks are to be congratulated upon their splendid composure and dignity during the evening.
   After a salutation the miniature attendants took their places, and Rev. J. J. Thompson, district superintendent of the American Bible society, performed the ceremony, addressing the party in a very pleasing and impressive manner, following which prayer was offered by Rev. John D. Knox, an old and valued friend of the family. Congratulations were then in order, after which refreshments were serve, the orchestra discoursing sweet music the while.
   Another event of the evening was the christening of the great grand-daughter, Cora Lucile Sitler, By Rev. S. McChesney, pastor of the M. E. church.
   The happy old couple have watched twelve children grow to manhood and womanhood, eleven of whom were present, one son being absent on account of business. In the room that evening were present a great grandmother, great grandfather, grandmother and grandfather, and a great great aunt and uncle, besides numerous great aunts and uncles.
   The evening was most pleasantly passed, and with the aid of excellent orchestra music, seemed to fly quickly.
   There were present the following: Rev. McChesney, Mrs. Bishop Ninde and daughter, Rev. Jno. D. Knox and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Weightman, Rev. J. J. Thompson, Mrs. John Small, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Phillips, Mrs. Daniel Small, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Will Martin, of this city. Mrs. A. Hurst, Newton, Kan.; Mrs. L. McDowell, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mrs. R. E. Walker, Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. O. H. Sittler, Orleans, Neb; Miss Florence Martin, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Miss Jessie Scott, Kansas City; Miss Clara Hill, Oskaloosa, Iowa; Ralph Martin, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Misses Kate and Belle Phillips, Miss Lulu Martin and Miss Nettie Martin, of Topeka. Letters of regret were received from some thirty friends in this city and abroad.

[Article concludes with a resolution and gift list]

—Topeka Daily Capital (Topeka, KS), January 11, 1885, 5:4.


Grandfather:

   Hannah's grandfather was Ephraim Dilley (1755-1844), a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in 1776 as a private in Capt. Henry Countryman's company, 2nd Sussex County, New Jersey regiment. He was born in New Jersey; died in Senecaville, Ohio.