Josephus Martin
Jan. 3, 1909; Oregonian, Sec. 5, p 6  (photo)
"Death Claims Early Settler of Gilliam County"
Condon, OR., Jan. 2

   Josephus Martin, a pioneer of Oregon and one of the earliest settlers of Gilliam County, died at his home near Olex, December 23, 1908, aged 79 years.  He was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 16, 1829, the son of Roger and Mary Martin, the former a native of Scotland and the latter or Ireland.  He received a common school education in his native state and later learned the carpenter trade.  In 1852, at the age of 23, he came to California, via the Isthmus, and in 1863, he removed to Corvallis, Or., where he lived for two years.  Later he spent some time in the mines at Idaho City, Idaho, and finally, in 1866, permanently located near Olex, Gilliam County, Oregon.
   Here he entered the stock-raising business in partnership with Conrad Schott and John Shellady, in which they were very successful.  Mr. Martin's life is intimately connected with the history of that part of Oregon now forming Gilliam County, both before the organization of the county and since.  He endured all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life and accumulated a comfortable fortune for himself and family.  He was married February 8, 1868, to Alice Johnson, who survives him.  To this union were born nine children, four of whom are living.  They are C. W. Martin, Mrs. Grant Wade, Gertrude and Raymond Martin, all of Olex.