Carry Martin or Plank was daughter of Eliza Jane (Lowmiller) Plank Martin. She was born in Pennsylvania.

I'm confused about Carry. We have a birthdate of 05 November 1869 in Pennsylvania for her, which would make her younger than Kate, and a daughter of Eliza's second husband, James Frederick Martin, But, my grandmother (Carry's niece) told me that Carry was the daughter of Eliza Jane (Lowmiller) and her first husband, Mr. Plank.

Similarly confusing, my great-grandmother, Nannie Martin Routh, described herself as the 7th daughter, so it is likely that this 05 November 1869 birthdate was for another daughter that we have not yet identified, with Carry actually being older than Kate.

Carry Martin or Plank had six sisters including:



Katherine "Kate" (Martin) Schoper (Born 14 December 1867 in Pennsylvania. She had two husbands, the first one being a Willard Schoper. She and Mr. Schoper reared Kate's niece, Florena, who was the biological daughter of Kate's sister, Emma Martin, and a Mr. Sherman. Kate and Willard Schoper also had a son. We have two photographs of Kate's second husband, but don't know his name yet.)


Elizabeth "Lizzy" (Martin) Schaefer Eckard (Born 01 March 1871 in Pennsylvania. Lizzy first married Peter Dorman Schaefer and they had children including Leo D. Schaefer, Violet Schaefer, and Olive Schaefer. After Peter Dorman Schaefer's death, Lizzy next married William H. Eckard.)



Emma (Martin) Sweeny (Born 19 September 1873 in Pennsylvania. Emma and a Mr. Sherman were biological parents of Florena who was raised as the daughter of Emma's sister, Kate. Emma later married George Sweeny and was the mother of their three children, including, Mable Sweeny. Mable Sweeny married a Mr. Hackin.)

Sarah Jane "Sadie" (Martin) Shuey (Born 31 October 1875 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Married to Oscar Clyde Shuey in Pennsylvania. Mother of Sara Elizabeth (Shuey) Mabry, Grace Shuey, Oscar Clyde Shuey Jr., Margaret "Peggy" (Shuey) Denman, Frederick James Shuey, Edith Catherine (Shuey) Polson Moll, and John Shuey. Sarah died 23 April 1956 in California.)

Nannie (Martin) Routh (Born 22 January 1877 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Married 11 March 1907 to Simon Elias Routh in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Mother of Velva Delilah "Jean" (Routh) Houghton, Elda Elizabeth (Routh) Eddleman, and Lawrence Routh. Nannie died 19 August 1955 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana. Nannie is buried at Greene County Chapel Cemetery, Greene County, Indiana, just across the county line from Stanford, Monroe County, Indiana.)

Jesse (Martin) Thalbo (Born 31 August 1886 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Married to Tony Thalbo, and the mother of Mary Thalbo.)




Carry had one younger brother:


John Henry Martin (Born 18 October 1883 in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Married to Lewetta M. Gibbs and Sadie Striker. John was father of Grace Pauline Martin, Violet Mary Martin, and James LeRoy Martin. John Henry MARTIN married his second wife, Sadie STRIKER, on 18 October 1928 in Los Angeles County, California.)


Unfortunately, we do not have photographs of Carry Martin or Plank, but we do have photographs of her mother and father (or step-father?):


• James Frederick Martin and Eliza Jane (Lowmiller) Plank Martin


And, we have photographs of several of Carry's siblings:


• Kate (Martin) Schoeper, with Florena
• Lizzy (Martin) Schaefer Eckard and Jesse (Martin) Thalbo
• Nannie (Martin) Routh
• Sarah "Sadie" Jane (Martin) Shuey
• Sarah "Sadie" Jane (Martin) Shuey
• John Henry Martin




Carry Martin or Plank grew up in the Martin home in Carson Valley, in south central Pennsylvania. This valley is at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains, which are a section of the Appalachian mountain system. Gallitzin, Pennsylvania was 6 miles from the Martin home. Gallitzin is in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, near the border with Blair County, Pennsylvania. The Martin farm was, however, in Allegheny Township, near Duncansville, in Blair County, Pennsylvania. (Click on map to see larger map, with "X" showing location of the Martin farm.)

The Martin home in Carson Valley was called a 2-story home, but it also had an attic on the 3rd floor, which was used as additional living space by the large family. It was a well-built and large log home. The property was marked with a fence and gate. A path from the house led to the "john," or outhouse. At night, an oil lamp was used to find one's way to the outhouse.

The Martin family had a covered bridge down hill from their home. The family loved this covered bridge. Cold preservation of foods was accomplished by natural means. The family had a spring house built over the mountain stream, affectionately calling it, "Old Nabby." The reason for this name is not now known. They set containers of milk, cheese and butter in the stream, using stones to secure the food in the stream of cold water that flowed down from the Allegheny Mountains.

Wasting food was intolerable because of the laborious efforts required to secure enough food for the large Mountain family. On one occasion, the Martin children entered into a conspiracy of secrecy so that their parents, James & Eliza, would not know that a large barrel of molasses had been contaminated. James and Eliza had been gone for a few days to a soldiers' encampment meeting. The Martin children had friends staying with them during their parents' absence, having a "high old time." Inadvertently, someone left the lid off of the mollasses and a dead mouse was later discovered in the syrup by the Martin children. The Martin children removed the mouse, but subsequently "lost their taste" for the molasses so enjoyed by James, Eliza and their guests.

Although usually occupied with the business of farming, young Carry's family participated in the social events in their mountain community during Nannie's childhood. Social gatherings often included festive activities like cake walks. The Martins were introduced to Spring-time mushroom (morel) hunting by their neighbors. In colder weather, the Martin's joined their mountain neighbors for ice skating on frozen ponds, sleigh rides in the snow, bonfires and winter feasts.

The Martin family took "the second pass of the mountains" to visit friends on other farms, so that rigorous travel by wagon and on foot was required for the Martins to maintain the social contacts so important in their lives.

Education was very important in Carry's family of origin. Both public and school spelling bees were social events for the entire family. Children sometimes learned the spelling of words rhythmically, swaying as they sang the spelling of words. Church was also an important part of the Martin family social life. Carry and her siblings were musical and between them played many musical instruments.

Holidays were especially festive times for Carry's family. In warm weather, the family joined with neighboring farmfamilies in cooperative harvesting with shared dinners and picnics. Picnics and rallies were especially common on holidays, such as the fourth of July. Christmas was celebrated with gifts and special foods. The very atmosphere of Carson Valley prompted thoughts of traditional Christmas in the winter. The Martins rode in horse-drawn sleighs to the literal sound of 'jingle bells' across the mountain snow. Their visits were warmly received by neighbors who wrapped heated bricks for the sleigh voyagers to warm their feet.

Carry's mother, Eliza, lost four sons at birth, or in infancy, during her first marriage. When Carrie was born prematurely, she was so small that a man could hold her in one hand and a pocket watch could cover her tiny face. Eliza used great caution to try to save the life of this fragile infant, protecting Carry by carrying her on a pillow. Amazingly, considering the limited medical resources of the mid 1800's, Carry did survive.

Carry again faced serious health problems as an adult, becoming crippled and bedfast with rheumatoid arthritis. Carry also had dropsy which caused her weight to increase to over 300 pounds, which is very large considering that the Martin's were of short stature. Because of her bloated size, caretakers had to use sheets to turn her in bed.

SOURCES


• Many of these charming accounts, and the wonderful photographs, were provided by Carry Martin or Plank's niece, Elda Elizabeth (Routh) Eddleman, who lived 1910-1999. (My grandmother)
  
  
• Many of these remarkable photographs and family facts were kindly provided by Carry Martin or Plank's nephew, James "Jim" Leroy Martin, who was born 23 February 1926 in California. -- Thanks, Jim!
  
  

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