This film was shot on a 16mm movie camera by Herb & Mary Martin at Christmas, 1929. The baby is their son Bert, who was about a year and a half old at the time. Caroline is Bert’s grandmother, the older woman in the film. The identities of the young woman and the older man are not known; Herb’s father had passed away in 1920.
Caroline was the mother of Herbert Beardsley Martin, my grandfather. Her name at birth was Caroline Sophia Beardsley. She was born in Milo Township, Delaware County, Iowa, on April 23rd, 1867.
Her family lived on a farm until 1877, but Caroline decided to become a teacher when she grew up. In 1884 (at the age of 17) she passed the teacher’s examination and began teaching school in Honey Creek Township, near Edgewood, Iowa. Her salary was $20 per month, and her board was $1.75 each week.
Apparently teaching didn’t work out so well, because Caroline took a position as a stenographer (for $6/week) with the Anthony Co. in Peoria, Illinois in 1885. The following year her salary was raised to $40/month and she remained in that job until 1887.
Caroline suffered from asthma, and sought relief in California. In October of 1887 she moved to Los Angeles, hoping that a change of climate would help. There she worked as a stenographer with the California Southern & Central Railway at San Bernardino where her salary was $60/month.
But the Anthony Co. missed Caroline, and persuaded her to return to Peoria and their employ in July of 1888. She stayed with them until 1899, at which time she decided to become an osteopath.
She resigned her position with Anthony Co. and enrolled in the American School of Osteopathy, Kirksville, Missouri. She graduated from there on June 27, 1901, with the degree Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.).
The story of Caroline’s romance with Frederick Martin has not been handed down to us, but it would be safe to guess that they met in Peoria, Illinois. Frederick’s sister and brother-in-law (Mr. & Mrs. George Drury) lived in Peoria, and their home was the location of Frederick and Carolyn’s wedding on August 14, 1901.
The newlywed couple moved to Los Angeles, where Frederick was in school studying to become an osteopath as well. He received his D.O. in February, 1902. There they set up their osteopathic practice together, as well as their first home. Herbert was born on June 28, 1902, and Caroline went back to her practice of osteopathy in October that year.
In 1908, the Martins moved to Pomona, California, and Frederick set up an osteopathic practice there. After the move, Caroline retired, and no longer worked as an osteopath.
Home of Frederick, Carolyn, and Herbert Martin in Pomona, California.
This hand-written book traces the genealogy of Herbert B. Martin through his mother Caroline’s ancestry back to the Adams family that was prominent in the American Revolution, including U.S. President John Adams.
One of the more interesting items that was handed down to me in our family archives was an inexpensive composition book, the kind you used to buy at a college bookstore to write your final exams in. (See photo at left.) This book is labeled “Adams”, and in it the unknown author has traced the history of the Adams family that was prominent in the U.S. government at the beginning of our country’s history. The genealogy is traced down to Caroline Beardsley and her son, Herbert Beardsley Martin. What follows is the most relevant information about this genealogy, which I have copied from the book.
- Herbert Beardsley Martin, born June 28, 1902, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Son of Caroline S. Beardsley Martin, born April 23, 1867, Manchester, Iowa.
- Daughter of Lucy M. Williams Beardsley, born April 11, 1842, at Newark, Ohio
- Daughter of Caroline Estabrook Williams, born Sept. 20, 1823
- Daughter of Nancy Adams Estabrook, born Feb. 25, 1794
- Daughter of Jonas Adams, born Friday, Aug. 18th, 1758
Jonas, along with his older brothers Stephen and Phineas, were among the first to offer themselves for the defense of their country in 1775. Jonas was “dangerously wounded” at the Battle of Bunker Hill. - Son of Stephen Adams, born 1715.
An early settler of New Spanish, N.H., where they had saw mills. Stephen was a third cousin of Gov. Samuel and President John Adams. - Son of Thomas Adams of Chelmsford.
Thomas and his brother, Capt. Samuel Adams, came to Chelmsford about 1654. Thomas was among the petitioners for the grant of that township, which was granted on Nov. 4, 1654. Thomas Adams was chosen one of the first seven selectmen “to manage public affairs of the place.”
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