NATHANIEL MARSTON, born at Enfield, Grafton county, New Hampshire, May 2, 1810, is the son of Nathaniel Marston and Rhoda Sawyer, and of pure New England stock. His father died before the sub­ject of this sketch was a year old. His mother was married again to David Choate, but continued to live on the old homestead until her death, January 14, 1869, at the advanced age of eighty-five.

Of the elder Marston's four children, but two grew to mature year: buried in 1859, and Nathaniel, of whom we now write. The latter left home at the age of sixteen and went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, to learn cabinet-making. Here he worked until 1831, when he removed to Kingsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio. At this place he continued at his trade till 1837, when the wonderful reports of the success of the Illinois farmers drew him hither. Coming directly to Henderson county, he entered the N. W. of Sec. 12, T. 9 N., R. 5 W. Here he built his log cabin, and installed therein his wife, whom he had married in Ohio, Lois Barton, daughter of Nathan Barton and Sarah Burroughs.

Mrs. Marston was born and reared at Plainfield, Massachusetts, the eleventh of thirteen children. All grew to manhood and womanhood, but eight have since been buried. Of the five now living Mrs. Watson is the youngest. Of her own ten children, three are dead, and the others scattered through this state, Iowa, and Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Marston are persons of intense moral and religious con­victions, and consistent lives. They have ever been among the most earnest workers and generous givers toward the support of a church here in the community.

They have been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, of Olena, since its first organization. Mr. M. has been an uncompromising opponent of slavery and intemperance, fearless in his opposition to what he considered wholly at valiance with principles of right. He lives to enjoy the fruits of his sacrifices and labors, and to rejoice in the triumph of the right as he saw the right.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties.

 

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Illinois Ancestors