Martin G. Coyner
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
MARTIN G. COYNER - Is of German descent; his grandfather emigrated from the old country and settled in Virginia at an early day, where he resided for some time; then he removed to Ohio with his family where he died.
The subject of our sketch was the son of David and Sarah COYNER, born in Ross county, Ohio, September 16th, 1837; he was brought up on a farm. His advantages for receiving an education while young were very limited; he being the oldest boy of a family of thirteen children, much of the farm labor devolved upon him. But in after life by his own diligence and perseverance he acquired sufficient education to capacitate him for most any ordinary business. December 2d, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth HAYNES, a daughter of Martin and Caroline HAYNES. She was also a resident of Ross county, Ohio. They have had a family of seven children born to them, six sons and one girl, of whom four are living, Carrie A., Willie N., Emery Alvin and Louie Horton.
In November, 1865, he turned his face westward, emigrating with his family to Champaign county; he settled in Hensley township, on section l6, where he now resides. He was a resident of Ohio during the "times that tried men's souls," in the dark days of the war, and enlisted himself with patriotic purpose in the Home Guards for the protection of peaceful firesides during the celebrated and daring raid of the desperate cavalry chieftain, John Morgan. Mr. Coyner's company was ordered out in pursuit; space does not permit us to detail the gallant and soldierly qualities displayed by the Home Guards in this exciting crisis; suffice it to say that all the resources of the southern chieftain could not save him from capture by the militiamen whose homes he had invaded. It was at Steubenville, Ohio where the great pursuit ended, and from this place Mr. Coyner and his brave comrades returned to their homes, which thereafter were secure from invasion.
In politics he is a staunch Republican, taking a deep interest in the party. Religiously he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.