Edward Harry Martin was born 13 March 1890, on his father’s 51st birthday, at the Martin ranch south of Milford, Utah. His father Peter was a busy man and may have been away much of the time. peter was a miner and businessman, and also began serving as a probate judge for Beaver County in 1894. When Utah became a state in 1896, Peter S. Martin became the first County Commissioner for Beaver County, (a position that replaced probate judges with the arrival of statehood.)
Growing up in Milford as the son of a prominent man must have brought both benefits and disadvantages, and Harry was soon known to be a character and good company. He earned the nickname of “Bishop,” which was surely given ironically as he and his family were among the ‘Gentiles,” or non-Mormon minority in the area, and bishop is a title held by male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Life would soon change for Harry, as his father Peter began to experience health problems and then died in 1907 when Harry was only 17. By then, Peter had already found a buyer for the ranch and had done his best to settle affairs so that his family would be provided for.
By 1907, Harry was living with his widowed mother Ellen, just a few houses down from her widowed sister, Mary Hardy. Harry began driving for the Utah Transportation Company’s Auto Line, making daily runs to Beaver. On 13 May 1913, Harry married Letha Rogerson, daughter of a prominent member of the local Mormon community. They continued to make their home with Ellen in a house she owned on Stoddard Avenue. Three children were added to the family in the next eight years: Edward Harry Martin, Jr. on 7 May 1914; Peter Smith Martin on 23 February 1917; and Katherine Martin on 1 March 1921.
From 1911– 1917, Harry—and sometimes Lethe—was mentioned in the local press whether visiting, traveling, assigned to jury, having another baby, or just being a character. The following information was collected and organized by Bob Allen. Most newspaper articles are available for no charge online at digitalnewspapers.org.
- 25 Aug 1911—BEAVER BRIEFS
Harry Martin, who has been driving on the Utah Transportation Company’s Auto Line for H. A. Larson, resigned from the service last week and is no longer doing business for the company. Southern Utonian - 01 Sep 1911—BEAVER BRIEFS
Harry Martin was up (Beaver City) on Sunday from Milford in his little run about. Southern Utonian. - 23 Aug 1912—BEAVER BRIEFS
Harry Martin is up from Milford on one of his periodical visits. Southern Utonian - 23 Apr 1915—NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin of Milford are visiting here with Mrs. Martins’ parents. Southern Utonian - 07 Jan 1916—JURY LIST DRAWN
From Milford: Harry Martin. Southern Utonian. - 02 Mar 1917—UTAH STATE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin on Saturday morning, February 24, 1917, a baby boy. If the youngster is as good natured as his daddy, he will be a very desirable and useful citizen. Here’s best wishes. Beaver County News (BCN). - 07 Aug 1917—UNCLE SAM HAS NEW NUMBERS
Edward Harry Martin (537) and his older brother William R Martin (531) are listed for the draft for WW1. BCN.
From 1918 through 1927, Harry was mentioned frequently. Sometimes it was for his silly antics, but also for his service as a mechanic, and in providing radio broadcasts for the community. Somehow he earned the title, “Bishop,” which was surely meant to be ironic in reference to his wild ways. It appears he and Letha also had a farm near Hay Springs that he would farm potatoes on.
- 14 Jun 1918—UNTITLED, ADVERTISEMENT. BEAVER-MILFORD AUTO CO.
For prompt services and good workmanship. We have with us now, Harry Martin the best mechanic in Southern Utah. Local Agents for FORD cars. Everything for the auto—phone 46. BCU - 04 Oct 1918—INVENTION
John R. White and Harry Martin are credited with a useful invention. They have patents on a valve cap for releasing air in auto tires. It is a simple and ingenious device that will save time and labor, and negotiations are being made to place the cap on the market both in the United States and Canada. BCU - 18 Oct 1918—HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN
“Bishop” Harry Martin celebrated his first shave in three weeks by smearing his face with some of Van’s axle grease. He said it beat any cosmetic he ever used in his courtin’ days. Harry just returned from Baker, Nevada, and states that anyone sporting a clean shave in that town is looked upon as a confidence man or a nominee for congress. You read in a recent issue that Harry had invented a valve cap which will bring him big royalties in the market. Both he and his brother Bill are mechanical geniuses and had they gone into the big game seriously each them would today be acknowledged as world-beaters. BCN - 25 Oct 1918—HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN.
Harry Martin claims that a straggly beard is foil for the flu. He buttonholed us yesterday and took exception to our item of last week, saying that beards would be all the vogue after the war. He cited an article in the Tribune of recent date wherein it was stated that the French word poilu means beard; and when one of the Gallic heros goes home on furlough, he tickles his wife with it. Harry says –that ever thing from a Van-Dyke to a Dundreary will be the fashionable thing in post-bellum days, but his beard must promise more than a meek resemblance to a famished hair mattress. Brother Bill has been married too short a time to make any contention on the subject. BCN. - 01 Nov 1918—HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN.
We’ve been trying to tantalize Harry Martin, but it’s like tickling a fat friar with a feather. Speaking of beards again, and we’re about ready to shear the subject.BCN. - 22 Nov 1918—HAPPENINGS ABOUT TOWN.
“Bishop” Harry Martin, he with the stubble of a fortnight, is wearing a crimson velvet necktie that Charlie Slown gave him. It’s a pattern of gold filigree markings that would make the eye of a nabob swim with admiration. We have seen the pattern on rare Brussels and rich tapestry; and once, Louis the Thirteenth, in a capricious humor, wore to a masque ball. But patterns are fickle as a girl’s fancy, yet we admire them, and especially the one that prompted Charley’s benevolence. BCN - 22 Dec 1918—LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin who have a ranch eight miles south of town are feeling quite indignant over the way things are disappearing from the ranch. Mr. Martin proved up on the ranch some time ago, but on account of ill health, has not been able to live there. Among the articles missing are the following: 1. 1 iron cot, 1 mattress, 2 pillows, 1 electro-dynamo, 4 traps, and 3 ax-handles. It may seem funny to some people, but it does not impress Mr. Martin in the least. BCN. - 21 Aug 1920—LOTS OF SELLING.
Jorgensen & Company . . . annual transfers made by the enterprising firm, including only sales upon which at least forty per cent cash has been paid, are lots to the following purchasers, most of them in the Milford Height sub-division. LOT HOLDERS … Harry Martin (1) and Mrs. Nellie Martin (11) ….BCN. - 24 Nov 1920—LOCALS AND PERSONALS.
Harry Martin killed twenty wild ducks last Saturday and never brought 1 to the News office. BCN. - 19 Jan 1921—NADA NOTES.
The dance given at Nada by the community was well attended. Several people came from Cedar and Lund and the vicinity. Music was donated by Harry Martin of Milford, L. McGuire and Mr. Stephenson reported a good time regardless. After midnight coffee and sandwiches were served. - 02 Mar 1921—MILFORD GROWING.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin, March 1st. a girl. BCN. Note: this is [Bob Allen’s] mother Katherine Martin. - 13 Apr 1921—SCHOOL FUND DONATIONS.
Through the liberality of the following Milford citizens, our schools are enabled to keep open until April 22, with their regular teachers at their regular salaries. … Harry Martin $2.00 and W. R. Martin 75c., W. R. Martin would be the cheapest donation made. BCN - 13 Apr 1921—TOWN BOARD HOLDS SESSION.
The following bills were allowed and ordered paid.
W. R. Martin, G. W. B. Jail . . . $3.00
Harry Martin . . . $3.00
Wm. Martin . . . $6.00 BCN - 27 Apr 1921—LOCAL AND PERSONAL
Harry Martin returned Friday from a short visit to Salt Lake.. BCN. - 25 May 1921—TOWN BOARD MEETING HELD ON MAY 5.
It was regularly moved and seconded that the following bills be allowed and ordered paid; Harry Martin G. W. B. $30.00, W. R. Martin G. W. B. $12.00. BCN. - 15 Jun 1921—PERSONAL AND LOCAL.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin motored to Salt Lake Thursday of last week and returned Sunday. - 29 Dec 1922—LOCALS
Harry Martin expert automobile mechanic, of Milford, being exceedingly liberal, one day last week, passed the drinks from a little bottle, to some of our citizens, and as a result the judge said $50 or 30 days. Southern Utonian. (Also, reported in the Beaver County News, same date). - 19 Jan 1923—LOCALS
Harry Martin left on Saturday for Beaver, where he will be employed by the county for the next month. BCN - 01 Feb 1924—SPECIAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM GIVEN AT L.D.S.
The M. I. A Special Activity program given at the L.D. S. Tuesday……..Mr. Martin entertained the crowd for an hour with a radio concert broadcasted at Oakland, California.
Mr. Martin’s kindness in installing his radio for the public was greatly appreciated. BCN - 23 Jan 1925—LOCALS AND PERSONALS.
Steve Stoker and Harry Martin have started a handy man’s shop in the building previously occupied by Ray Castle. BCN. - 24 Sep 1926—GENE TUNNEY NEW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP.
A large crowd of fight fans in Milford listened to the returns, round for round, broadcast over the huge radio owned by Harry Martin, which was placed on the balcony of the Hotel Atkin, every word of the announcer being plainly heard for several blocks. BCN.
In November 1927, Letha moved out of the house and filed for a divorce from Harry. She complained that he treated her cruelly, did not provide money to feed the family, and had been drinking heavily for the previous two years. One year and a half later, Harry married Elzabeth Weidner, but in thi period .
- 01 Jun 1928—THANK YOU.
The News extends its thanks to the following their subscriptions….Harry Martin.BCN. - 07 Sep 1928—OUR PLAYFUL PRESS.
The cylinder press of the News began sliding about in a peculiar manner last week, due to vibrations and we began to have visions of a newsman following it about the shop and throwing on paper when he can. Harry Martin was impressed into service and he succeeded in sliding the press back into position with the help of a jack. BCN. - 26 Apr 1929—GET MARRIAGE LICENSE.
A marriage license was issued last week at Parowan to Edward Harry Martin and Elizabeth Weidner of Milford. BCN. - 18 Sep 1930—HOSPITAL NOTES.
Mrs. Harry Martin, a baby girl on the 11th. BCN. - 05 Nov 1931—MILFORD NEWS
Harry Martin was sentenced to four months in the county jail and fined $100 for failure to pay alimony and for contempt of court. BCN. - 19 Nov 1931—LOCAL NEWS.
A baby girl was born to Mrs. Harry Martin at Milford hospital Wednesday morning. BCN. - 09 Feb 1933—LOCALS AND PERSONALS.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin, a girl, at the Milford hospital, Friday. BCN. - 08 Jun 1933—FOREMEN NAMED FOR CAMP WORK (CCC’S)
Harry Martin, well known Milford mechanic, will be camp mechanic. BCN. - 15 Sep 1938—SIX NOMINATIONS MUST BE DECIDED BY RUN OFF VOTE.
Harry Martin, well-known Milford character is said to have been given on vote for state senator on the Republican ticket in one of Milford districts. (I can see him writing himself in for senator as a joke, I have.) BCN
