John M. Marlin was born on January 29, 1836, in Pennsylvania to Jesse and Ann Marlin. His father was a merchant who owned $5,000 of real estate in 1850. He grew up and attended school in Washington, Pennsylvania, and by 1860, he was working as a miller.

 

He received a commission as a 1^st lieutenant in Company A of the 78^th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 26, 1861. The regiment took part in the Battle of Stones River, the Battle of Chickamauga, the Battle of Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded at Stones River on December 31, 1862, but he eventually recovered and rejoined the regiment. He was promoted to captain on September 1, 1863, and he mustered out on November 1, 1864.

 

He returned to Washington, Pennsylvania, after leaving the army, and he married Mary Ann Wallace around 1865. They had at least four children: Cora, born around 1866; Elmer, born around 1869; Ira, born around 1875; and Charlotte, born around 1878. Marlin worked as a farmer, and by 1870, he owned $10,000 of real estate and $877 of personal property. He applied for a federal pension in December 1879 and eventually secured one. He remained in Washington for the rest of his life, and he died there on October 29, 1904.

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