Martin Family

The Martin family forms the central line of Charlie’s story, with roots in West Virginia and connections that extend across generations.

Anglicized form of Gaelic O’Martain

Overview

The Martin family history is grounded in the river towns and communities of West Virginia, where work, family, and place shaped daily life.

Across generations, the Martins carried forward values of resilience, craftsmanship, and commitment to family — traits that would define Charlie’s life and those who followed.

Abraham Martin represents the earliest confirmed generation of the Martin family in Nicholas County, West Virginia. Earlier records suggest a possible connection to a Virginia family of Zachariah Martin in the late 1700s, though that link remains unconfirmed.

Key Individuals

• Charles Clayton Martin Sr.

• Kate Martin

• Charlie Martin Jr.

  • Born: 1917 Belva WV

  • Location: West Virginia / California

  • Connected to: Mary (Koepfer Family)

  • Notes: Central figure connecting the Martin and Koepfer family lines

• Mary Martin

Places & Roots

• Belva, West Virginia

• Huntington, West Virginia

• Surrounding river communities

Timeline Highlights

• Early 1850s — Family roots established in West Virginia

• 1930s — Great Depression impacts daily life

• 1940s — War years and transition

• 1949 — Journey west begins

Notes & Ongoing Research

This section will continue to grow as additional records, stories, and materials are collected and added to the Martin family history.

Family Structure:

Core Line

• Charles Clayton Martin Sr. (Charlie’s Father)

• Kate (Skaggs) Martin (Charlie’s Mother)

Extended Family

• Siblings:

  Eugene Martin (Charlie’s brother)

  Robert Martin (Charlie’s brother)

Grandparents:

• Joseph Alexander Martin - (01/26/1856- 11/18/1946)(Charles Sr. father; Charlie’s Grandfather)

• Ann (Annie) Ellen (Dorsey) Martin (1861-1928)- (Charles Sr. mother; Charlie’s Grandmother)

  William M. Martin (Charles Sr.’s brother)(1889-1960)

  James Abraham Martin (Charles Sr.’s brother)(1887-1978)

• Abraham Martin B:~1819 - Father of Joseph A. Martin (Charles Sr. Grandfather; Charlie’s G-Grandfather)

• Mary Pauline Ripitoe (1825 –1889)- Mother of Joseph A. Martin (Charles Sr. Grandmother; Charlie’s G-Grandmother)

  Children of Abraham Martin and Mary Pauline Ripitoe:  Margaret 1847-?; Nancy Elizabeth 1849-?; Mary 1850-1867; Martha 1852-1918; William Henry 1854-1933; Charles J. 1855-?; Joseph Alexander 1856-1946; Ann H. 1857-?; Alma 1860-?; Virginia 1862-?; John M. 1865-1874; Andrew B. 1867-1870

• Location: Nicholas County (then Virginia)

• Possible family link (40-60%): Zachariah Martin married to Margaret Wilson 04/22/1788 in Norfolk, - VA. Parents of Abraham Martin - Charles Sr.’s G-Grandfather/G-Grandmother; Charlie’s G-G Grandfather/G-G-Grandmother

Notes & Connections

This section captures relationships, shared histories, and connections between individuals across generations.

Connected Families

Primary Connections

• Koepfer Family

• Dehler Family

• Skaggs Family

Photos and Documents

Seated L-R: Marian, Liz, Charlie, Mary; Standing L-R: Drew, Paul, Duke, John, Roger, Steve, Dave

Charles C. Martin Sr.