I, James A. Martin (Jim) was born to Mr. and Mrs. Nute Martin at Forest
     City, Kansas, May 7, 1910. I remember the town of Forest City when it had
     a general store with post office, blacksmith shop, grain elevator, and
     harness repair shop. I remember the first airplane that I heard go over
     and also, the first one I was up close to. I, also, remember the first
     Ford care my Dad bought. I had a large brass radiator, keorsene lamps
     and acetylene head lamps. Of course, it had to be started by crank. I,
     also, remember when radio came into being. I had one of the first crystal
     sets in the country.
       I received my elementary schooling at the Forest City school. We went
     to church and Sunday school at the Forest City church. In May, 1929, I
     graduated from Medicine Lodge High school. I worked for farmers and helped
     my dad for awhile.
       I went to California in 1933 and stayed 8 months, coming back in 1934.
     A certain young lady was my reason for returning. I started farming and
     married that certain girl. Ruth Freemyer, November 16, 1935, at the
     Presbyterian parsonage at Medicine Lodge.
       Ruth was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Freemyer of Lake City.
     She was born May 13, 1915. She received her education in the Lake City
     schools. She graduated from high school there in May, 1933.  
       We lived in a small house on a farm 3 miles from Lake City. Then July
     7, 1938, a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, (now Mrs. Kent Massey), was born at
     Medicine Lodge. Two years later on November 12, 1940, our son, James David,
     (J.D.) was born at Medicine Lodge.
       Later we moved to Lake City and I still farmed and worked for an oil
     company. In 1957, I quit both and we moved to Medicine Lodge where I
     became custodian of the intermediate school. I retired from there in July
     1975. Our pride and joy are our grandchildren; J.D.'s two boys, Mike and
     Ted, and Mary's four girls; Michelle, Jennifer, Karlan, and Robyn. 
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas, pg. 317 
     Submitted by: Jim Martin