Martin, Stephen M

Stephen Mannon MARTIN (1874-1953) and Lucinda Caroline "Lina" BOWERS (1875-1955)

my great-grandparents

Stephen Mannon MARTIN was born 25 Feb 1874, in the vicinity of Dunwoody, Georgia, the son of Benjamin MARTIN and Sarah SPRUILL. He spent his childhood in Georgia, and in the 1880 US Census he was with his parents and siblings in Newtown, Milton. GA. See the Benjamin S MARTIN page.

By the time Stephen was 16, his family had moved to Logan County, Arkansas, where he met and married Lina BOWERS.

Lucinda Caroline "Lina" BOWERS was born 28 Feb 1875 in Magazine, Logan County, Arkansas, the daughter of William M. BOWERS (1846-1929) and Mary Elizabeth ALLEN (1849-1935). Lina was the 5th of 14 children. See the William BOWERS Jr page for more information.

Stephen and Lina were married in Logan County, on 4 March 1893. He was 19, and she was 18. Their first child, Mamie MARTIN, was born on 26 Jun 1894, in Logan County, AR

I have not been able to find this family in the 1900 US Census. I believe they were still in Logan County.

Logan County, AR to Butler County, KS about 1909

Stephen and Lina's first 7 children were born in Logan County, AR. The eldest child, Mamie died 22 Sep 1908, at the age of 14, in Logan County. After this tragedy, the family moved about 250 miles NW, to Butler County, KS. They were in KS by 25 Dec 1909 when their son Ernest Francis was born, and the 1910 US Census has them in Walnut, Butler, KS on 22 Apr 1910.

Stephen's older brother Charlie had moved to Butler County, between 1895 and 1900. See the section on Charlie and his family on the Benjamin S MARTIN page.

The Standard Atlas of Butler County, Kansas, 1905 contains plat maps of all the townships. In Walnut Township, Section 23 lies the 80-acre farm of C. S. MARTIN. There are also some MARTIN properties in Douglass Township. J. T. MARTIN has a 160 farm in Section 15, and another 160 acres in Section 17. J. J. MARTIN has 240 acres in Section 22. J. T. and J. J. do not appear to be related to our MARTINS.

In 1910, Stephen and Caroline have 6 sons and 1 daughter. They have been married 20 years, which contradicts the marriage record (above), by which they should have been married 17 years. Caroline has had 8 children, with 7 surviving. Stephen is a Farmer, with a rented farm.

One of the graves in Barn Hill Cemetery, in Magazine, Logan, AR is for Mamie S.L. MARTIN, eldest child of Stephen and Lina. She was born on 26 Jun 1894, and died 22 Sep 1908, at the age of 14. Someone wrote that she "hemorrhaged to death after onset of menstruation." The death of the oldest child must have been traumatic for the family. Stephen had only lived in Arkansas for about 19 years, and a lot had happened.

Since Mamie S.L. MARTIN is buried in Arkansas, it seems likely that the family moved to Kansas after her death, and before the 1910 Census, so between 22 Sep 1908 and 22 Apr 1910.

I have almost no information about Stephen M. MARTIN and family before 1910. Stephen and Lina were married on 8 Mar 1893 in Driggs, and their children before 1910 were born in Arkansas.

The 300-mile move resulted in a large change in culture and environment. Farming may have seemed more lucrative in Butler County Kansas than in Logan County Arkansas, because the soil was better, but the weather was dry, often with long periods of drought. For this purpose, a type of sorghum bicolor known as kafir (or kaffir) corn was introduced, from Africa, in 1879. It was used for farm animals, feed and forage. This crop could produce good yields, even in the driest Kansas summers. By 1909, kafir corn was the main cash crop of Butler County, and it surely must have played a role in the MARTINs' farming efforts in the 1910s and 1920s. El Dorado hosted the Kafir Corn Carnival, every year from 1911 to 1929. In 1911, the Carnival drew 20,000 people to downtown El Dorado, a city with a population of 3,000. In the 1930s, kafir gave way to milo sorghum, a new kind of corn. Whereas kafir had been harvested with horse-drawn equipment, and required hand processing, the new corn was still drought resistant, but had thinner stalks, more suited to motor-driven combines. The MARTINs, being mechanically inclined, must have benefited from this change. The popularity of kafir corn lasted less than 30 years, and today it is considered an invasive species, but it was once a key feature of life in Kansas, especially Butler County.

In 1915, Stephen M. MARTIN and family were next to Frank MARTIN and family. I believe the latter is Charles Francis MARTIN, nephew of Stephen, since he was the son of Stephen's brother, Charles.

This discovery of oil in 1915 changed the history of Butler County, almost in an instant. Suddenly, the prairies and farm fields were cluttered with oil rigs, pipelines and refineries. Many farmers found oil work much more lucrative than farming. Stephen's son Otis worked in the oil fields in 1925, and Stephen was listed as an oil field worker in the 1930 and 1940 US Censuses (below).

On 12 Sep 1918, Stephen M. MARTIN and his son, Omer D. MARTIN, registered for the WWI draft. Their draft cards give the address RFD 3, Douglass, Butler, KS. Stephen has medium height, slender build, blue eyes and brown hair. Omer has medium height, medium build, brown eyes and dark hair. Both are Farmers. with Stephen self-employed, and Omer working for his father.

In 1920 there are 4 MARTIN families in Walnut Township, Butler County, KS. Families 9 and 10 share a house, which C. S. MARTIN owns, free of mortgage.

Family 9 is Charley and Rachel MARTIN, whose 3 children are all grown. The youngest, Chauncey William MARTIN, is the head of Family 10. Chauncey and his wife, Grace Pearl, and first child, Marvin, are living with Chauncey's parents.

Family 17 is Stephen Mannon MARTIN, his wife Lina, and 5 of their 10 children. The oldest, Mamie, had died in 1908. Omer is the head of Family 138. Omer and his wife Delana were about to have their first child. The second oldest child of Stephen and Lina was William Ezra MARTIN, who had moved to Michigan. He appears in the William Ezra MARTIN page.

The 1920 Directory for Butler County has S. Manning MARTIN and wife Lina in Rt 3, Douglass Township. He is renting a 750-acre farm, presumably lying partly in Douglass and partly in Walnut. That would be a very large farm, but fortunately Stephen had several sons who were old enough to help with the farm work. The directory also tells us that Stephen drove a Ford.

The MARTIN farm, "located 1 mile east and 5 miles south of Augusta" was in Walnut Township. After the 1922 bankruptcy, the family moved to nearby Douglass. Stephen and his older sons were laborers in the oil fields, and also worked on the roads.

In 1925, Stephen M MARTIN and family are found on a rented farm in Douglass Township. [Note: Douglass is often misspelled as Douglas, possibly being conflated with Douglas County. The small city of Douglass is in Douglass Township, Butler County.]

By 1930 the family was down to 5, still living in the town of Douglass, in Douglass Township, Butler County, KS. They own their home, valued at $400, on Walnut Street. Stephen is now a laborer, on a gas pipeline, currently unemployed. Earnest and Virgil are involved in the automobile business.

Butler County conducted its own census every year, from 1937 to 1961, except 1955. Stephen and Lina were listed as a household of 2 in Douglass Township, 1937, 8, 9, 40, 41, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. In 1950 they had a household of 3 in Douglass. I'm not sure who the third person was. They were back to 2 in 1951, 2, 3. Stephen died in 1953, and I have not found Lina in the 1954 or 1955 census.

In 1940 Stephen and Lina are on their own, living at 525 Elm Street, in Douglass. They own the home, valued at $1,000.

The 1943 and 1948 Farm Directories for Butler County shows that Stephen's farming efforts had scaled down considerably. He rented a large farm in 1920 and 1925, but in 1930 he was working on a gas pipeline, and in 1940 he was an oil fieldworker, unable to work. By 1943, at age 68, he had no crops, and the directory only records "Amount of Bindweed on Railroad Land Adjoining Property – 8 sq. rods." In 1948, he was credited with having raised 36 chickens.

Information on gravestones in Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, KS.

Sections below will cover each of Stephen and Lina's children. But first, I will describe what became the family business.

The Martin Motor Company

Charles S. MARTIN brought his wife, and 2 sons and 1 daughter, to Butler County, KS between 1895 and 1900. His younger brother Stephen M. MARTIN followed in 1909, with his wife and 5 sons and 1 daughter. (They had 3 more sons in Kansas, and one daughter had died in Arkansas.) Charles and Stephen were farmers. Several of their sons and grandsons turned out to be mechanically inclined. When automobiles became popular, those who had the skill to fix them and keep them running were able to make a living at it. Several of the MARTIN brothers joined forces in what eventually became the Martin Motor Company.

[Note: There were many MARTINs, and several Martin Motor Companies, in the automobile sales and repair businesses, in Kansas, at an early date. One Charlie MARTIN had a garage in Wichita, which was advertised in a 1917 newspaper ad, where the proprietor claimed 15 years' experience as a master mechanic. I had originally thought this was our Charles S. MARTIN. However, Charles S. lived in Walnut Township, Butler County in 1915 and 1920. This would have been at least a 20-mile commute, which seems pretty long for 1917. Also, Charles was a farmer, who owned his farm in 1915 and 1920. There is no other indication that he was anything but a farmer.]

The first sign of our MARTINs working in the auto industry that I have found is in the 1920 US Census, where Stephen's 21-year-old son, Omer D. MARTIN, is described as a "Proprietor of a Garage." His residence was Walnut Township, Butler County, which lies between the towns of Augusta and Douglass. I don't know where the Garage was, or the name of the business. However, it was the custom at that time to use the owner's name as part of the business name.

The 1920 Butler County Directory lists 10 car dealers, 6 garages or repair shops, and 7 tires stores. Most of these, including all the garages, were in El Dorado, the largest city in Butler County.

Above: Ads from the 1946 and 1949 El Dorado Directories.
Plymouth changed their logo, and Martin Motors added a Used Car Dept.

The 1925 Kansas State Census has Stephen's son Elmer (24) as an auto mechanic, in Douglass Township, and Charles' son Chauncey William "Willie" (29) as a mechanic, in Plum Grove Township, which is northwest of El Dorado.

By 1930, brothers Omer (30) and Otho (20) were salesmen at a garage, and living in Augusta. Their brother Ernest (20) was an automobile salesman, while Virgil (18) was an automobile mechanic, both living in Douglass. I'm not sure why a garage needs 2 salesmen. Also, their brother Elmer (29) was a proprietor of a garage, living in Douglass. At any rate, the 5 brothers were involved in the automobile business.

Otho L. MARTIN was killed in a car wreck on 2 Aug 1935. His obituary (below) mentions that he was "associated in the Martin Motor Company of Augusta with his brother, O. D. MARTIN," and that "He & his brothers have been in the automobile business in Augusta since 1931."

In the 1940 US Census, Omer MARTIN was Owner/Manager of a Motor Company, his daughter Vivian was a Bookkeeper at a Motor Company, and their lodger George was a Metal Worker at a Motor Company; presumably the Martin Motor Company. Omer D. MARTIN lived in the city of Augusta from 1930 until at least 1957, and his address from 1951 to 1957 was 126 E 7th Street, Augusta, according to the county census. He worked at Martin Motors until 1955.

In the 1941 Directory for El Dorado we find the Martin Motor Company, at 412 S. Main Street, El Dorado, with manager O. D. MARTIN. They sell used cars. So the Martin Motor Company, which started in Augusta, had a used car dealership in EL Dorado by 1941.

Elmer Martin and his wife Thelma lived in Augusta when the 1940 US Census (below) was taken. By 1946 they had moved to the big city, and lived at 400 Frazier, El Dorado, where they lived until at least 1962. It seems likely that Elmer ran the dealership in El Dorado, while Omer ran the one in Augusta.

In 1946, the Martin Motor Company was associated with Dodge and Plymouth cars. It was managed by O. D. and Elmer MARTIN, and employed Ernest MARTIN as a parts manager, and Ronald D. MARTIN, son of C W, as a painter.

By 1949, Omer and Elmer were still in charge at Augusta and El Dorado, and Ernest was still parts manager, Ronald was the paint and body manager, at El Dorado. C W's son Marvin worked as a mechanic at El Dorado Tractor & Implement Co. This arrangement was the same in the El Dorado Directories of 1951-55, and in 1955, Keith MARTIN, son of Ernest, was a department manager, at age 19. Omer retired in 1955-6, but Elmer and Ernest were at Martin Motors at least through 1962, when my records end.

Back when the station wagon was cool! Basically a limousine for the family. These 2 newspaper articles show that the Martin Motor Company's dealerships in Augusta and El Dorado were both going strong in 1955.

Descendants of Stephen and Lina

Stephen and Lina had 8 sons and 2 daughters. The first 7 children were born in Logan County, AR. After the eldest child died at age 14, the family moved to Butler County, KS, about 1909. Most of the children remained in KS and worked at Martin Motors, although Otis went back to Logan, AR, and William moved several times, around the Midwest.

The vital statistics that I've been able to find are listed below. For brevity, Douglass, El Dorado and Augusta are townships in Butler County, KS.

1. Stephen Mannon MARTIN b. 25 Feb 1874 in Milton, GA, d. 25 Dec 1953 in Douglass, age 79
sp: Lucinda Caroline "Lina" "Linnie" BOWERS b. 28 Feb 1875 in Magazine, Logan, AR, m. 8 Mar 1893, d. 3 May 1955 in El Dorado, age 80

2. Mamie Sarah Lavada MARTIN b. 26 Jun 1894 in AR, d. 22 Sep 1908 in Logan, AR, age 14

2. William Ezra MARTIN b. 12 May 1896 in Paris, Logan, AR, d. 19 May 1960 in Wichita, Sedgwick, KS, age 64
sp: Isel Aldura HUNTLEY b. 30 Aug 1897 in Lone Rock, Baxter, AR m. 24 Jan 1915, d. 25 Apr 1966 in Chicago, Cook, IL, age 68
sp: Bertha "Byrd" Adora HARTENBOWER b. 28 May 1885 in Butler, KS m. 10 Jul 1951 d. 21 Jul 1957 in KS, age 73
sp: Hazel L HATCH b. 1890 in KS d. 1971 in KS, age 81

2. Omer D. MARTIN b. 19 Mar 1898 in Paris, Logan, AR, d. 29 Nov 1981 in Augusta, age 83
sp: Dellena PRIMM b. 26 Nov 1898 in Butler, KS, d. 9 Dec 1955 at home, in Augusta, age 57

2. Elmer Mannon MARTIN b. 17 Oct 1900 in Magazine, Logan, AR, d. 23 Nov 1982 in Augusta, age 82
sp: Thelma Marie CARR b. 24 Feb 1902 in Douglass, m. 15 Jun 1920, d. 9 Oct 2003 in Watonga, Blaine, OK, age 101

2. Odie Otis Grant “Curly” MARTIN b. 26 Nov 1902 in Magazine, Logan, AR, d. 6 Jan 1977 in Booneville, Logan, AR, age 74
sp: Lera A. FOSTER b. 18 Oct 1903 in Carolan, Logan, AR, m. 28 Dec 1931, d. 7 Dec 2000 in Booneville, Logan, AR, age 97

2. Artie Mae MARTIN b. 11 Feb 1906 in AR, d. 2 Sep 1977 in Hutchinson, Reno, KS, age 71
sp: William Melton WHEELER b. 12 Feb 1901 in AR, m. 23 Jan 1936, d. Mar 1969 in Hutchinson, Reno, KS, age 68
sp: Albert C DEES b. Abt 1896, m. 23 Jul 1933

2. Otho L MARTIN b. 29 Jan 1908 in AR, d. 2 Aug 1935 in Rose Hill, Butler, KS, age 27

2. Ernest Francis MARTIN b. 25 Dec 1909 in KS, d. 2 Feb 1990 in El Dorado, age 80
sp: Florence A. LOOMAN b. 30 Mar 1916, d. 29 Dec 1978, age 62

2. Virgil Bowers MARTIN b. 21 Dec 1911 in KS, d. 27 Apr 1980 in Augusta, age 68
sp: Alberta May WILSON b. 27 May 1896 in KS, m. 31 Jul 1942, d. 12 Feb 1996 in Augusta, age 99
sp: Opal Dell MYRES b. 28 Oct 1907, m. 29 May 1934, d. 8 May 1941 in El Dorado, age 33

2. Aubrey Edward MARTIN b. 9 Jan 1916 in Douglass, d. 14 Jan 2004 in Augusta, age 88
sp: June Colleen MURDICK b. 28 Jun 1918 in Minneapolis, Ottawa, KS, m. 20 Sep 1939, d. 28 Dec 2011 in El Dorado, age 93

1. Mamie S. L. MARTIN, eldest child of Stephen and Lina (BOWERS) MARTIN, was born on 26 Jun 1894, and died 22 Sep 1908, at the age of 14. Family lore says that she "hemorrhaged to death after onset of menstruation." She is buried in Barn Hill Cemetery, in Magazine, Logan, AR.

2. William Ezra MARTIN was born about 1896-8 in Arkansas, and died 19 May 1960 in Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas. There are some discrepancies in the records, as to the exact time and place of his birth. He married Isel A. HUNTLEY on 24 Jan 1915 in Yell County, Arkansas.

William and Isel were my grandparents. See the William Ezra MARTIN page.

3. Omer D. MARTIN was born 19 Mar 1898 in Paris, Logan, AR and died 29 Nov 1981 in Augusta, Butler, KS. He appeared with his parents and siblings in Walnut Township, Butler County, KS in the 1910 US Census and the 1915 Kansas State Census, above.

Omer must have been away at school, or in the military, because he came home for his 18th birthday.

In the 1920 US Census, above, he was still in Walnut Township, but he was living with a wife, Delana. In 1930, brothers Omer and Otho MARTIN were in Augusta Township.

Omer D. MARTIN and his wife Dellena (or Delana) had 2 children in 1930. Also living with them was Omer's younger brother, Otho MARTIN. Omer and Otho were both Salesmen at a Garage. Recall that Omer was a Proprietor of a Garage in 1920. They lived at 1224 State Street, in Augusta, which is about 15 miles west of Wichita. Omer was the owner of the home, valued at $2,500. Omer and Dellena were 20 and 19 at first marriage, so they were married about 1920.

The 1931 and 1937 City Directories for Augusta have the Omer MARTIN family listed, and in 1931 the address of 1224 State St is confirmed. The Butler County Census lists the family in Augusta every year from 1938 to 1961, except 1855 (no census that year) and 1958.

In 1940 Omer and family owned a home valued at $3,000, at 126 7th Street, Augusta. Daughters Marie and Vivian were at home, although Vivian was married, and her husband were not present. They also had a Lodger, George PRIMAS. Omer was Owner/Manager of a Motor Company. Vivian was a Bookkeper at a Motor Company, and George was a Metal Worker at a Motor Company, presumably the one that Omer owned and operated. Marie was still attending school. All were in the same place in 1935. Vivian was married, but her husband was not present.

The El Dorado City Directories for 1946, 49, 51, 53, 55 have Omer listed as an employee of Martin Motors (see above). He must have retired, as he is not employed in 1956 or thereafter. The yearly Butler County censuses show that Omer an Dellena were still living at 126 7th Street, Augusta, until 1955, and Omer until 1963. Omer died on died 29 Nov 1981, in Augusta, and his last residence was 126 7th Street.

Researcher Carol BENGE says that "He owned car agencies in Augusta, El Dorado, & Arkansas City. He & his wife had personal residences in Augusta & a farm near Douglass."

Omer and Dellena had no children when the 1920 was taken, between 1 Jan and 8 Jan 1920, so Vivian must have been born after that. This helps to distinguish her from several other Vivian MARTINs, who were born in 1919, KS. She married someone named SEYLAM before 2 Apr 1940.

Dellena was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta. Her gravestone has her birth 26 Nov 1898 and death 7 Dec 1955, age 57. Omer outlived his wife by 26 years, in the same house where they raised their two daughters, and was buried next to her. Some researchers have her as Dellena PRIMM, and say she was married 30 Dec 1918, in Douglass, Butler, KS, but I have not verified this.

4. Elmer M. MARTIN was born 17 Oct 1900 and died 23 Nov 1982, age 82. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, KS. He married Thelma before 1925. Thelma is also buried at Elmwood. Her gravestone gives birth date 24 Feb 1902 and death 9 Oct 2003. She lived to age 101!

Elmer appeared with his parents in the 1910 and 1920 US Censuses, and the 1915 Kansas State Census, all in Walnut Township (above). He was a worker on his father's farm in 1920.

In 1925 Elmer and Thelma MARTIN owned a home, free of mortgage, in Douglass Township, Kansas. Elmer was an Auto Mechanic and Thelma was a Housekeeper.

In 1930 Elmer and Thelma MARTIN owned a home on Forest Street in Douglass, KS valued at $1,500. Their ages at first marriage were 19 and 18, so they were married about 1920, the first marriage for each. Elmer was a Proprietor of a Garage.

The Butler County Census has Elmer as head of a household of 2 in Douglass Township, 1937, 8, 9. This is probably Elmer and Thelma, although there was another Elmer MARTIN is the area, with a wife Sarah Margaret. The county census tells us that one of the Elmers was found in Augusta (in town) by 1940, and the other went to El Dorado (in town) and lived at 411 E 9th, in 1941.

The 1940 US Census has Elmer and Thelma at 113 Columbia Street, Augusta. They owned their home, valued at $2,750. They had a Lodger (probably not a Logger!), Hazel SWENSON, a public school Teacher, with a salary of $810/year. Elmer was a Shop Foreman at a Motor Company (undoubtedly Martin Motors), with a salary of $1,650/year. All lived in rural Kansas in 1935.

The 1950 US Census was Elmer and Thelma at 400 S. Frazier, El Dorado. They live with Thelma's mother, Nellie CARR.

By all accounts, Elmer and Thelma never had any children.

From the SSDI, Elmer's last residence in 1982 was El Dorado, Butler, KS, so we know that our Elmer MARTIN moved to El Dorado at some point, but so did the other Elmer MARTIN. The county census has an Elmer MARTIN household every year from 1941 through 1949. The household has 2 people most years, but jumps to 9 people in 1946. In 1949 there were 3 Elmer MARTIN households in the city of El Dorado, with 2, 3 and 4 people.

The 1946, 49, 51, 53, 55, 58, 58, 59, 61, and 62 El Dorado city directories have Elmer MARTIN at 400 S. Frazier, an employee of Martin Motors, with wife Thelma. This must be the right Elmer. The 1956 directory says he is involved with used cars at Martin Motors, and the 1958 directory has him listed as parts manager.

Some researchers have have her name as Thelma Marie CARR, and marriage to Elmer on 15 Jun 1920 in El Dorado, but I have not been able to verify this. However, it is supported by the 1953 Butler County Census, which has Elmer M. MARTIN (age 52), Thelma M. MARTIN (51) and Nellie CARR (72), all at 400 Frazier. The 1957 Butler County Census has Elmer (50), Thelma (55) and Nellie (79), all under the name MARTIN, and all at 400 Frazier. The census taker has Elmer's age wrong, and has neglected Nelli's last name, but this seems to support the 1953 census.

5. Odis Grant "Curly" MARTIN is buried in Carolan Cemetery, Carolan, Logan, AR. His gravestone gives his birth date 26 Nov 1902 and death date 6 Jan 1977. He was born in Logan County, Arkansas, and moved back there at some point, since he died there. He signed his name Odis, but his gravestone, SSDI record and marriage license have Otis.

Odis appears with his parents as Otis in the 1910 US Census, Odis in the 1915 Kansas State Census, Bdie? in the 1920 US Census, and Otis G. in the 1925 Kansas State Census (above). The 1925 census has his occupation listed as Oil Field Worker.

Odis MARTIN married Lera (or Lena) FOSTER on 28 Dec 1931 in Booneville, Logan, AR. Recall that Odis had moved away from Logan County in 1909 with his parents and siblings, at age 6 or 7. Presumably, Odis still had contact with his cousins who stayed in Logan County, and he may have met Lera on a family visit.

The Butler County Census has Otis MARTIN as head of a household of 2 in Douglass Township, in 1938, 39 and 40. Also in 1940, the couple is found in Douglass in the US Census.

In 1940 Odis and Lera were owners of a home in Douglass, valued at $855. They had no children, and lived in the same place in 1935. Odis was a Manager at a gasoline filling station, and Lera was a Manager at a cafe.

Odis and Lera returned to Arkansas in 1940 or 1941, and were living in Booneville, Logan, AR on 16 Feb 1942 when Odis registered for the WWII draft. The draft card gives us his middle name, Grant. He was 5' 5'' and 200 lbs, with brown eyes, black hair, dark complexion. It says he was born 26 Nov 1902 in Paris, AR. He was self-employed, farming. He signed his name Odis Grant Martin.

The shared gravestone in Carolan Cemetery, Carolan, Logan, AR is inscribed:

6. Artie Mae MARTIN was born about 1905-6 in Logan, AR. She appeared with her parents in the censuses up to 1925 (above). I don't know if these records are for the right people:

7. Otho Lafayette MARTIN was killed in an auto accident at age 27. His grave marker gives his birth date 29 Jan 1908 and death date 2 Aug 1935.

8. Ernest Francis MARTIN was born 25 Dec 1909 in KS and died 2 Feb 1990 in Butler, KS. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, KS.

Ernest appeared with his parents in the censuses from 1910 through 1930, when he was an auto salesman, at age 20. He married Florence by 1937, when he appeared in the Augusta City Directory, with a family of 4. The Butler County Census also has Ernest MARTIN with a family or 4 in Augusta in 1937, 38, 39 and 40.

In 1940 Ernest Francis MARTIN is in Los Angeles, with his wife, Florence. They have a home at 1216 Washington Street, which they rent for $25 per month. In 1935 he lived in Pratt, Pratt, KS and she in Kansas City, MO. He was working as a gig builder in the aircraft industry.

I don't know if this 1940 Census is for the right people. Of course there were a lot of MARTINS, but this is a pretty close match. It seems that they were back in Butler County by 1944. Ernest served 20 months in the Navy in WWII. The Butler County Census has the family of 4 in the city of El Dorado in 1944, 45 and 46. The El Dorado City Directory for 1946 ha Ernest MARTIN, at E 513 W Olive, employed as a parts manager at Martin Motors. This is actually the first explicit reference I have seen for Martin Motors, and it seems to confirm that the Ernest MARTIN who lived at 513 W Olive was the son of Stephen and Lina.

The 1949 El Dorado City Directory has Ernest, still parts manager at Martin Motors, and Florence, a saleswoman at Levinson's Depatement Store. They live at 312 S. Denver, in El Dorado. This is their address in the 1951, 53, 55, 56, 59, 61 and 62 directories, in which Ernest is still employed at Martin Motors.

Ernest and Florence MARTIN had 2 sons: Vernon Ray MARTIN and Keith Jay MARTIN. I don't know why they are not with their parents in 1940.

The El Dorado City Directory for 1953 has 3 MARTINs at 312 S. Denver. In addition to Ernest and Florence, there is Vernon R. MARTIN, a student. Clearly this is one of the family of 4, who was of age to be included in the directory. Vernon seems to disappear from 1954 to 1957, although there was a Vernon R. MARTIN in Wichita, with wife Hazel N. This Vernon lived at 2325 N. Vol Ave. in Wichita, and worked as a stock clerk at Boeing, according to the Wichita City Directory for 1954. The 1955 Directory has the same information, except that Vernon had been promoted to expediter at Boeing. His memorial on Findagrave says that he served in the US Army in 1954-6 during the Korean War.

Vernon Ray MARTIN was born 13 Jan 1934 in El Dorado, and died 23 Apr 2008. His obituary mention his mother's maiden name, Florence LOOMAN. It names "Survivors: spouse Jackie; sons Jeffrey (Cheryl) Martin, Kechi, Randy Adams, Florence, Kentucky; daughters Nanette (James) Squier, Beaumont, Kansas, Jennifer (Thad) Colling, Andover; brother Keith (Kathy) Martin, El Dorado; cousin Don (Mary Lou) Taylor, El Dorado; 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild."

Keith Jay MARTIN was born 10 Jul 1936 in El Dorado, and died 10 Sep 2011 in El Dorado. His obituary names "his wife, Kathy (Boyer), of the home; daughters, Karla Pringle of El Dorado, Kaye and Rick Laudner of Valley Center, Karyl and David Rush of El Dorado, Kerri and Marv Loucks of El Dorado, and Kristi and Bob Tiberg of Sparta, Tenn.; grandchildren, Tysun Pringle, Errett Rush, Danae Johnson, Katie Rush and Kyle Loucks; great-grandchildren, Kilyr and Logan Pringle, Hunter and Lily Rush, and Jordan Johnson."

Keith MARTIN first appears appears by name in the 1953 Butler County Census, which gives ages for the whole family, at 312 S. Denver, El Dorado: Ernest F (43), Florence A (37), Vernon R (19), Keith J (16). By 1955 Keith was married, as he appears in the 1955 City Directory for El Dorado, at 307 N. Topeka, with wife Kathy L. At this time Keith was employed as a salesman at Martin Motors. The 1956 directory has Keith still working at Martin Motors, but Keith and Kath had moved out of the city, to the RD 1 area.

The 1958 City Directory for El Dorado has brothers Vernon R. MARTIN and Keith J. MARTIN as proprietors of Martin Bros Cities Service, with gas stations at 226 S. Main and 1924 W. Central. Keith was living at RD 1, but there is no mention of his wife Kathy. Vernon and wife Nancy were at 310 N. Denver - this must be a misprint, it must be 310 S. Denver. Perhaps Vernon's wife Nancy is Hazel N. The 1959 Directory has Keith, with no wife, at RD 1, and still at Martin Bros Cities Service, although he is the only brother, and he has one gas station, at 1924 W. Central. Vernon and Nancy had moved out of town, to RD 2, and Vernon worked for Am Petrofina in 1959. Keith and Vernon's younger brother, Virgil (see below) was not a proprietor, abut a salesman for Martin Bros Cities Service in 1959.

The Martin Bros Cities Service does not appear in the 1961 Directory. Vernon R and wife Nancy were still at RD 2, and Vernon was a rack helper at Am Petrofina. In the 1961 Butler County Census, there was a Keith MARTIN, no address given, employed as a repairman at Continental Emsco.

Neither Keith nor Vernon appeared in the 1962 or 1963 directories for El Dorado. Keith's obituary, referred to above, mentions his wife, Kathy BOYER. Vernon's obituary also mentions his wife, Jackie, not Nancy.

9. Virgil Bowers MARTIN was born 21 Dec 1911 in Kansas, and died 27 Apr 1980, in Butler County, Kansas.

Virgil MARTIN appeared with his parents in the US Censuses of 1920 and 1930, and the Kansas State Censuses of 1915 and 1925.

In 1940 Virgil MARTIN had a home at 1420 Sheldon Street, El Dorado, that he rented for $12/month. He had a wife named Opal, and 1 child. In 1935 they had all lived in rural Butler County. Virgil was a laborer at a Pipe Line Company, with annual income $1320.

Opal (MYRES) MARTIN died on 28 Oct 1941, at age 33. Her gravestone in Sunset Lawns Cemetery, El Dorado, Butler, KS is inscribed:

There were several Virgil MARTINs in Butler County, including at least 2 in El Dorado, the largest city in Butler County, with over 11,000 people in 1950, which was more than 1/3 of the population of the county. We have several city directories for El Dorado, from 1941 through 1963, and this partially compensates for the lack of marriage records.

The 1958-63 Directories shows that our Virgil B. MARTIN was a salesman at Martin Motors, and his wife in 1958-63 was Alberta M. He was a salesman at Martin Motors in 1941, then opened "South End Lunch" in 1946, and ran "Martin Retail Liquor Store" in 1951-56, and was back at Martin Motors 1958-62. Alberta first appears in 1949, and is not there in 1946.

Virgil M. MARTIN, who married Genevieve, and Virgil L. MARTIN, who married Eunice, are the wrong ones.

In 1949 a liquor license was issued by the state or Kansas, to Virgil Bowers Martin, of El Dorado. See The Kansas City Times (Kansas City, MO) Friday, 2 Sep 1949, page 32.

10. Aubrey Edward MARTIN was born 9 Jan 1916 and died 14 Apr 2004.

In 1940, Aubrey E. MARTIN had a house on a farm in Douglass, rented for $10/month. He had a wife named June, but no children. In 1935 they had each lived in rural Butler County, Aubrey in town, and June on a farm. Aubrey was a Salesman for a Motor Company - presumably Martin Motor Company (above) - with a yearly salary of $1200.

Aubrey served more than 3 years in the Army during WWII.

The shared gravestone at Elmwood Cemetery, Augusta, Butler, KS has the inscription:

Caution: There was an Aubrey W. MARTIN, b. 16 Jun 1917 in Lawrence, Douglass, KS.

Sources

[KCC] Butler County’s Kafir Corn Carnivals

[SB] Sorghum Bicolor, from the Missouri Botanical Garden

[VPM] History of Butler County Kansas (1916) by Vol. P. Mooney

Resources at Kansas Memory:

[BCA] Standard Atlas of Butler County, Kansas, 1905

Jake Kunkle Scrapbook 1941-52

Resources at the Kansas Historical Society:

[JCM] The Kinsey Boom of the Late Eighties, 2 Final Installment (1935) by James C. Malin

[KTM] Kansas Township Map

Articles at the American Oil & Gas Historical Society:

[CSC] Cities Service Company

[EOF] El Dorado Oil Field

[KOB] Kansas Oil Boom

Articles on Antique Automobiles:

[C50] Chrysler '50' Sedan

[53D] 1953 Dodge

[AAC] Anderson Automobile Co

[ACW] Automobile Club of Wichita 1909-10

[CCK] Car Culture in Kansas

Updated 27 Jan 2022 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.