Mary Ellen Manatt Martin

MANATT, MARTIN, GWIN

Posted By: Ann Jaber (email)
Date: 1/17/2006 at 16:08:40

OBITUARY - MRS. M. E. MARTIN

Mary Ellen Manatt, daughter of Robert and Jemima Gwin Manatt, was born July 15, 1851 in Warren township, Poweshiek county, Iowa. She was the fifth child of a family of nine, all of whom preceded her in death except one brother, Albert W. Manatt, of Brooklyn, Iowa.

In Sept., 1872 she became the bride of Henry Martin, a young attorney who was a native of New York state. Of this union two sons were born, Irving Clyde of Belle Plaine and Henry Ravelle of Williamsburg. From the home of the later after a lingering illness she passed on Nov. 14, 1933. Besides this brother and two sons, there are three grandsons, two grand daughters and one great granddaughter, a number of nephews and nieces and several cousins surviving.

The first few years of her married life were spent in Brooklyn, Iowa and St. Joseph, Mo. Virtually all her later life was spent in Warren township.

When the post office at Carnforth was established Mrs. Martin was appointed Postmistress and held this position continuously for about 25 years until the abolishment of office when the Rural Delivery routes were established in that community.

During her years at Carnforth she took a very earnest interest in the spiritual welfare of the community and was largely instrumental in securing the necessary help to build the Congregational church at that place. Really a truly Christian person she led by practice rather than precept. She was a wonderful mother and a perfect friend and neighbor.

The funeral was held from the Raffensberger funeral home on Thursday, November 16, at 2 p.m. Rev. Wehrnan of the Congregational church officiated. Interment was made in the Brooklyn cemetery.

Pall bearers were Glen Connell, Glen Oliver, Henry Manatt, Gerald Manatt, Joe Hladky and Ralph Shaw.
Among the relatives from out-of-town who attended the funeral of Mrs. Martin were: Dr. and Mrs. H. R. Martin and daughter, Virginia, and Mr. and Mrs. Hardman of Williamsburg, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Manatt of Cedar Rapids, Albert Martin of Norfold, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Martin, Mrs. S. Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Oliver, Mr. Price, Dr. Robert Martin and Robert Cox of Belle Plaine; Miss Nellie Rest, Mrs, Clark and Dr. and Mrs. Walter Martin of Gladbrook; Claude Manatt, Raymond Manatt and Mrs. Charles Graves of Perry; Miss Thursia Manatt, Mrs. Nellie Sherwood, C. H. Manatt, A. W. Manatt, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Cronk, Mrs. Clara Nelson, Mrs. Imo Clark, Mrs. Florence Gwin, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Manatt, Mrs. Willis Ryan and Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Manatt, all of Brooklyn.

(Original found at Poweshiek County Historical House, Montezuma, Iowa)