My grandfather, Henry Martin, came to Kansas with his parents, Aaron and
     Samantha Smalley Martin and family from Missouri in a covered wagon in
     November 1901. In Attica, Kansas he met and married Esther Davis, daughter
     of Frank and Julia Davis, on December 31, 1921. To this union thirteen
     children were born. They are all living at this writing and are Mrs. Lester
     (Elsie) Wells, Mrs. Roy (Ruth) Brown, Lawrence, Mrs. Warren (Mildred) Eckert,
     Lloyd, Charles, Mrs. Von (Betty) Kaup, Mrs. Dale (Marjorie) Colborn, Mrs. 
     Wilma Kain, Paul, Bill, Mrs. Miriam Buttel, and Mrs. Ed (Marilyn) Olomon.
       Except for brief sojourns in Oklahoma, California, Sharon and Attica my
     grandfather lived in Medicine Lodge. They both worked hard to provide a
     home for their family. My grandmother always had a yard full of flowers
     that bloomed from early spring until late fall. Granddad once told me that
     to him a home was not a home without children. Both of their hearts were
     large enough to love their many children and grandchildren. I always knew
     that here were two special people. My grandmother added to that family with
     the many she taught over the years in Sunday school. She still teaches every
     week at the age of 82. Her faith in Christ taken her through many difficult
     times. Four sons and several grandsons served in the armed forces and when
     granddad died in 1974 this faith was evident as she kissed his forehead and
     said, "Bye dear, I'll see you in the morning."
       Granddad came to Medicine Lodge in 1928 and worked for the Gyp Mill for
     fifteen years. He worked at many things but in 1947 he injured his feet in
     a fall on a construction job and walked with great difficulty the rest of
     his life. He was always busy and remained so up until the last few months
     of his life.
       Grandmother still lives in Medicine Lodge and keeps busy beautifying her
     home and teaching her Sunday school class. Her children, grandchildren and
     great-grandchildren look to her for prayer and sound advice. Henry and Esther 
     Martin have provided a proud heritage for their descendants.   
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 316 
     Submitted by: Pearl (Wells) Conaway