Alfred Edward Martin (1871 - 1950)

Born 15 Jul 1871 in Mechanicsburg, (Decatur County) Indiana

Ancestors

Husband of Eva (Buell) Martin — married 19 Oct 1898 in St. Paul, Indiana

Died 29 May 1950 at age 78 in St. Joseph County, Indiana

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jeffrey Martin [send private message]

Biography

The marriage license registry of Decatur County, Indiana indicates Robert Martin married Susan Mary Mobley in September, 1969. The 1870 census lists Robert Martin as being age 38, and born in Ireland. Susan Mary Martin was then age 18. They had a daughter, Marietta (aged one month, and born in May, 1870).

This family was shaken by tragedy. Della Martin was born on February 12, 1876. Marietta "Mary" Martin died the next day (February 13) as did her mother on February 16. In the 1880 census, the Mobley household (Susan's parents) consisted of Mordica Mobley (age 53), Sarah Mobley (age 53), James Mobley (age 17), Alfred Martin (age 8), Francis Martin (age 7), and Della "Orpha" Martin (age 4).

Questions remain unresolved. What happened to Robert Martin? And why did it fall upon Susan's parents to raise the children? Then consider that Dr. Mobley died in 1886 and Sarah died in 1887. Alfred Martin was 14 and 15, respectively. Francis was 13 and 14. Della would have been 10 and 11.

What happened then? Did Dr. and Sarah Mobley’s surviving child, James E. Mobley, take the reins of familial responsibility? It can't be determined by the 1890 census. Those records burned in a 1920s warehouse fire. James married Armittie Weaver in the same time frame and they had the first of their six children in 1889.

According to "Familysearch.org," Alfred E. Martin married Eva Buell in St. Paul, (Decatur County) Indiana on October 19, 1898. The registry indicates he was born in Mechanicsburg and in 1898, was living in Adams. Eva Buell was the daughter of Abner and Martha (Boles) Buell. She was born in Shelbyville, (Shelby County) Indiana. Another source acknowledges that both had attended Earlham College located in Richmond, Indiana.

The differences of the 1880 census and the 1898 marriage registry is that the former has his age as being 8. The latter has his age as being 28. "Findagrave" resolves the dispute.

The 1900 census indicates Alfred was a teacher in Fairview Township, Fayette County, Indiana. There is indication they settled in St Joseph County, Indiana. They had a son named Reginald Buell Martin, born there on June 29, 1911. The 1920 census indicates that by then, Alfred had become an attorney.

Eva preceded Alfred in death on February 18, 1946. They are buried at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana.

Sources

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92076927

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92076969/eva-martin