Anna Mebus Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anna Mebus Martin
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| Born |
Anna Henriette Mebus
December 10, 1843 |
| Died | July 10, 1925 (aged 81) |
| Resting place | Martin Family Cemetery Mason County, Texas |
| Known for | Pres.Commercial Bank Mason Rancher Business woman |
| Spouse(s) | Charles Karl Martin |
| Children | Max Charles |
| Parent(s) | Hewill Mebus Henriette Martin |
Anna Henriette Mebus Martin (1843–1925) was a German-American rancher and business leader in Texas. She started with very little money. But she became one of the richest Texans of German heritage during her time. In 1901, she started the Commercial Bank of Mason. She was the bank's president for 24 years. In 1986, a special marker was placed at the bank. It recognized Anna Mebus Martin and her family's important work.
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Early Life in Germany
Anna Henriette Mebus Martin was born on December 10, 1843. This was near Cologne, Germany. Her parents were Hewill Mebus and Henriette Martin Mebus. Anna was the oldest of six children.
In 1858, Anna's father lost his business in Solingen. So, the family decided to move to Texas. Henriette Mebus had relatives living there. The family left Germany by ship on September 24, 1858. They arrived in Galveston on December 7, 1858.
Life in Texas
The Mebus family settled in Mason County. They lived at Hedwigs Hill. They stayed with Henriette's brother, Louis (Ludwig) Martin. The family worked in farming and ranching. About a year later, Anna Mebus married her cousin, Charles Karl Martin. He ran a local store.
Challenges and New Beginnings
Charles Karl Martin became the postmaster on August 21, 1861. This was after Texas joined the Confederate States of America. By 1864, Charles became ill with rheumatism. This made him unable to work. During the American Civil War, he lost his store.
Anna borrowed $150 to buy basic supplies. She then reopened the store. Charles was made postmaster again by the Union on April 10, 1866. He helped with mail service between San Antonio and El Paso. The post office closed on March 17, 1868. Charles was appointed postmaster one more time on May 18, 1874. He held this job until he died in 1879. Anna's mother, Henriette Mebus, also died in 1879.
Anna's Business Success
Anna Martin became the postmaster on December 9, 1879. Her store also became a stop for stagecoaches. Anna saw this as a chance to grow her business. She offered lodging for horses. She also sold homemade butter, groceries, and clothes she sewed herself.
Anna traded dry goods for cattle. This helped her avoid using middlemen. Like her uncle Louis, Anna also worked in the freight business. She became very successful in selling wool and cotton. Anna was the first person in Mason County to sell barbed wire. She sold more of it than any other company in West Texas at that time.
Eventually, Anna bought 50,000 acres of land. This land was in Mason, Llano, and Gillespie counties. This made her one of the wealthiest Texans of German heritage.
In 1901, Anna Martin started the Commercial Bank of Mason. She ran the bank with her two sons for 24 years. In 1986, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark marker was placed at the bank. It honored the important work of Anna Mebus Martin and her family.
Anna once said something important about her work:
I heard men say, o, she is only a woman, but I showed them what a woman could do.
Family Life and Passing
In December 1859, Anna married her cousin Charles Karl Martin. He was the nephew of Louis Martin. Anna and Charles had two sons, Max and Charles.
Anna Martin passed away on July 10, 1925. She is buried in the family cemetery at Hedwigs Hill.
In 2011, Anna Martin was honored. She was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
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