Tuscola [Illinois] Journal, Wed., Feb. 16, 1910, p. 12, col. 3

LEVI MARTIN

Levi Martin an old citizen of the Hugo neighborhood and a well known Douglas county man, was found dead in bed Monday morning at 7 o'clock by his wife when she went to call him to breakfast.  A physician was called, but life was extinct, and the coroner was notified and an inquest held, developing the fact that the cause of death was paralysis.

Levi Martin was a son of John and Mary Martin, and was born south of Camargo, in Coles, now Douglas county, Feb. 14, 1842, where he grew to manhood.  At the age of 19 he enlisted in the 79th regiment, Illinois volunteers, under Capt. McCown and later was transferred to the 18th Illinois as second lieutenant, where he served till the close of war.  He was married Dec. 24, 1871, to Sarah R. Smith, who with their two daughters, Mrs. W. O. Beasley and Mrs. E. W. Hill, survives him.

Mr. Martin served as assessor of Camargo town for five years and as assessor and collector of Bowdre township several times.  He united with the Christian church at Hugo under the pastorate of the Rev. William Black in 1881 and lived an honest and upright life, respected by all with whom he was associated.  The family has the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement, a fact attested by the many beautiful floral offerings.

Funeral services were held in the home Tuesday at 2 p. m., the Rev. Mr. Rose, pastory of the Hindsboro Christian church officiating.  Interment was made in the Deer Creek cemetery.

Headstone for Levi and Sarah Martin at what is now called the Van Voorhis Cemetery.  (Photo courtesy of
Deanna Van Voorhis Wolff.)

Newman [Illinois] Weekly Independent, Fri., Feb. 18, 1910, p. 5, col. 5

LEVI MARTIN PASSES AWAY
––––––––
Pioneer Soldier of Douglas County, Passed Away Sunday Morning at 5:30 O'clock.
––––––––

Levi Martin, the son of John and Mary Martin, was born south of Camargo, Coles Co., now Douglas, Feb. 14, 1842, where he grew to manhood.  At the age of 19 years he enlisted in the 79th Illinois volunteers at Camargo under Capt. McCown, at the beginning of the war.  After serving about a year he was transferred to the 18th Illinois as Second Lieutenant under Captain Westfall[?], and served until the close of the war.  After the close of the war he returned to his old home at Camargo and clerked in the general store of George Gill up till the time of his marriage, then moving to the home where he resided until his death.  He was assessor of Camargo township for five years and assessor and collector of Bowdre for several years.

He died very suddenly Sunday at 5:30 a.m., Feb. 13, 1910, of Posterior Spinal Sclerosis, at the age of 67 years, eleven months and twenty-nine days.  If he had lived until Monday he would have been 68 years of age.

Dec. 24, 1871, he was married to Sarah R. Smith who still survives.  To this union was born two children and two grand-children, Estella M., now Mrs. W. O. Beasley, and Blanche M. Hill.  His little grandson Glen Hill died in infancy, also Bertha Beasley, the only living grandchild, whom he dearly loved.  Besides these he leaves an older brother, Isaac Martin of Camargo, three sisters, Mesdames Susana Van Voorhis of Hindsboro, Nancy Barnett of Hugo, Mary Miller, Catlin, Ill., also three half brothers and four half sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He united with the Christian church at Hugo, under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Black, in the winter of 1881, always striving to live an honest and upright life.

He being a well read man and by planning and hard labor was able to accumulate considerable wealth.

The funeral was held at the residence in Northern Bowdre, Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 2 p. m., conducted by Rev. Rose, and the choir of the Christian church at Hindsboro.  They sang, Nearer My God to Thee, Somewhere, and Rock of Ages.  The pallbearers were Messrs. McDonald, Howard, Ingram and Langley of Hindsboro, Pribble, and Reeves.  Many and beautiful were the floral offerings.  The remains were laid to rest in the Deer Creek cemetery, followed by a large number of relatives and friends.  Those from a distance were, Attorney Ray Barnett of Danville, Miss Rose Barnett of Indianapolis, Mrs. Brian and son and George Martin of Tuscola, Mr. and Mrs. Wells and George Barnett of Newman.