Born in Ostra Wennenhoga Forsamling, Malmo Lan, Skane, Sweden. Olov (Olof) is the name of the farm he was born on. His given name was Jons Martensson. John and Lars went to America in 1869, leaving Nilla and children till they followed in 187070. John's parents met when Anna at age twenty left home to work as a milk maid on a farm in Skivarp where Martin also worked as a farm hand. They were married and lived with Anna's parents, Jons and Lisja and her physically disabled sister Elsa. During this time, Anna and Marten were supporting Anna's family who were poor as well as building a family of their own by having four children. A tragedy of unknown origin hit the family on August 17 1839 when Jons, Lisja and Else all unexpectedly died. Marten and Anna moved back to Skivarp where Marten was born forty two years earlier, in 1845. By this time they had seven children including Nils, John, Anders (who died at age seven), Lars, Sven, Bengta, and Elna. John's older brotother Nels (born in 1831) and younger brother Lars (born 1845) had the reputation of being good wrestlers in their youth. Both John and Lars ended up moving to Onestad where they worked as farmhands and eventually made the decision to emigrate to America in 1869. Each of John's sons got a 160 acre farm from Nilla and he. Each of his daughters got a 80 acre farm from them. His gravestone says Sep 24 1833.
1880 census
John Martenson 46 Nilla Martenson 43 Andrew Martenson 14 Nels Martenson 13 Ellen Martenson 11 Anna Martenson 9 Matilda Martenson 7 Howlda Martenson 5 Ida Martenson 2