Posted on: Hancock Co. Il Obituaries Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/HancockObits/467 Surname: Martin, Harnest, Harper ------------------------- Margaret E. Martin was born in Ohio on the 24th day of May, 1830. She was the third child of John and Anna Harnest, her mother who is still with us being an active member of this church. She is 84 years old. In October, 1839, when she was nine years old, her father joined a party of settlers and came in wagons to Hancock county, Illinois. She lived the life of a pioneer's daughter. At the age of 18 she became a member of the Baptist church, known as St. Mary's, in Hancock county. I read from a sketch written by herself one year ago. In describing her life at that time she says: "My mind was led often to reflect on the solemnities of death. How I strove against the influence of the Holy Spriit. I felt so impressed with my need of a Savior that I dreaded to go where there was a religious service, prayer and exhortation, and was ashamed for my young friends to know I was thinking seriously of my need of a saving faith in Christ. This state of affairs continued with me for some time, until finally I succeeded in banishing all feelings on a religious subject. This state of mind continued with me for some months, but I was not happy, and longed for deeper feeling, longed and prayed that I might be a true child of God and become an heir to eternal life, that I might be brought into the light and the liberty of the children of God. I attended services a few times conducted by Rev. Mr. Bush, and Rev. S. Pickerd, at St. Marys, and was led to exercise a full faith and to wholly trust in the Savior. Yes, I felt of a truth that Jesus died for me, and though this mortal should die and be consumed, it will be raised a spiritual body to dwell with God forever. He only claims and receives his own. This was in my 18th year." When 19 years of age she married Henry P. Harper, who was one of the most esteemed citizens and a prominent business man of this county, and a deacon of the Baptist church. To this marriage there were born eight children, four of whom with their father have preceded their mother. The four children remaining, John Sylvester, Alfred Marion, Carrie and Rose, are all living away from their old home, but they are all too well known to our people to require mention in this brief sketch. About four years after the death of Mr. Harper she married Washington Martin, a farmer of this county, and an active christian. They lived together in this community for 18 years and seven months, when Mr. Martin died at Carthage. Since the death of her second husband she has made her home with her son John Sylvester, and with her daughters Carrie and Rose at Sundance, Wyoming. She died after a short and painful illness. In her new home she was looked upon by the young men and women who make up the population of a western town, as a loving friend, and one whose life had made their world better and purer, and her passing away was simply an act of our Heavenly Father claiming one of his own children. The funeral services were conducted at the Baptish church, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., by Rev. Sammuel Pickard, of Charleston Ia., assisted by pastor of the church, Rev. G. F. Hilton. Text, Luke, 10 chapter and latter 20 verse. Her remains were interred in Carathage cemetery. Carthage Republican, October 4, 1893, pg. 5