George W. Martin was born in 1849 or 1850 to George M. Martin, a carpenter, and his wife Mary. In 1860, he was living with his parents and three siblings, Joseph, Mary, and Samuel, in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. In February 1864, when he was just 14 or 15, he joined the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry, possibly against the wishes of his parents, as indicated by a letter home in which he wrote, “Dear father I have seen the day that I have regretted to be in the army if I ever live to get out of the army I shall listen to you all at home. But you must forgive for this time I am sure it will learn me a lesson.” (February 11, 1865) Martin survived the war and returned to Shippensburg, where he married a woman named Nancy and took up carpentry. George and Nancy had at least five children.
From the guide to the George W. Martin papers, Martin, George W. papers, 1864-1865, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
