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Paul A. Martin Correspondence and Papers

1856 – 1944 (bulk 1917 – 1918, 1944)

Manuscript Collection no. 776

 

Introduction

Abstract

World War I soldier, journalist. Of Kansas; Battle Creek, Lansing, Mich.

This collection contains a list of descendants of John A. & Ida Challiss Martin, mother of Paul A. Martin. There is also an album of letters written by the children of Mary A. Harres Challiss who was Ida’s mother. These describe their life at Woodlawn, their home in Nemaha County, Kan. There is a letter by W. L. Challiss, Mary’s husband, on the family’s move to Kansas in 1856. The letters dated 1918 and 1919 are between Paul Martin in France and A. L. Miller, Paul Martin’s supervisor; 1 letter is from Paul’s mother. The correspondence dated 1944 is from Lieutenant John A. Martin, Paul Martin’s nephew, about John’s service in the Pacific during World War II.

Dates

1856-1944 (bulk 1918-1919, 1944)

Quantity

0.2 ft. (1 box)

Creator

Martin, Paul A., 1886-1965.

Title

Paul A. Martin correspondence and papers

Other titles:

  • Correspondence and papers
  • Papers

Folder titles: Woodlawn ; Papers

Identification

Ms. collection no. 776

Language

Text is in English.

Notes

This finding aid describes materials on microfilm held by the Kansas Historical Society. Materials may be used in the State Archives and Libgrary during regular research hours. Support for telephone, mail, and online reference and research is limited.

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Repository

Kansas Historical Society (Topeka)

Biography

Paul Alexander Martin, a Michigan journalist, was the son of Kansas Governor John A. Martin. In World War I he served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France. After the War, Paul served on the staffs of the Battle Creek Enquirer and the Lansing State Journal newspapers.

Contents List

 Organization of the Papers

Organized by type of material.

Description of the Collection

Photostatic copy of biographical information and sketch sent to the Michigan State Library.

Family tree of Ida Challiss, mother of Paul A. and wife of Gov. John A., 1851-1932.

Album of letters written by the children of Mary Harres Challiss, mother of Ida Challiss Martin, in Oct.-Dec. 1904. Album is entitled “Woodlawn” and consists of reminiscences of life at Woodlawn, situated near Atchison, its history and local incidents. Concluding letter is by W. I. Challiss, husband of Mary M., on move to Kansas in 1856.

Correspondence

1918

Nov. 10: A. L. Miller of the Morning Equirer and Evening News, Battle Creek, Mich., to Paul Martin, American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.). in France—on the armistice and the premature announcement by the United Press and preparedness.

Dec. 1: A. L. Miller to Mrs. Martin—on war’s end and job for Paul.

Dec. 1: A. L. Miller to Paul Martin—wants comments on the peace and relates local news.

1919

Jan. 17: Mother to Paul Martin—Atchison news (typed copy of letter)

Feb. 6: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—on peace negotiation, army engineering school, and the truce.

Feb. 16: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—on the League of Nations, home, school, and the French press and people.

Feb. 23: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—weather, home, Congress and the A.E.F., school, Germany, and universal military service.

Mar. 1: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—school, Germany, universal military training, A.E.F., and Kansas and Governor Allen.

Apr. 5: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—his travels in France and peace conference.

Apr. 10: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—report to unit in Germany.

Apr. 11: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller—postcard from Italy.

Undated but 1919: Paul Martin to Mr. Miller (second page)--trip to Germany and the good work of the Red Cross.

1944

Apr. 21: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—life in rest area on New Guinea.

Apr. 28: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul (photostat of V Mail letter)—news on rest area.

June 1: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—in forward area of New Guinea and news of folks in New York.

July 25: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—life in rest area on New Guinea.

Aug. 13: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul (photostat)—rest area life.

Aug. 21: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—life in jungle rest area.

Oct. 17: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—Netherlands East Indies rest area.

Nov. 29: Lt. John A. Martin to Uncle Paul—Philippines, fighting nearby, and the mud.

Index Terms

Persons

Challiss, Mary A. Harres, 1830-1909.
*Challiss, W. L. (William Lawrence), 1826-1909.
Martin, Ida Challiss, 1851-1932.
**Martin, John A.
Martin, John A., 1839-1889.
Martin, Paul A., 1886-1965.
Martin, Paul A., 1886-1965– Correspondence.
Martin, John A.
*Miller, A. L

* Co-creator
** Subject and co-creator
All others are subjects.

Family Names

Martin family.

Geographic Names

France – History – 1914-1940.
Kansas – History – 1854-1861.
Battle Creek (Mich.)
Lansing (Mich.)
Nemaha County (Kan.)
Pacific Ocean – History – 20th century.
Woodlawn (Kan.) – History – 1914-1940.

Subjects

American letters – Kansas – History – 20th century.
Migration, Internal – Kansas.
Migration, Internal – United States.
World War, 1914-1918 – France – Personal narratives.
World War, 1939-1945 – Campaigns – Pacific Ocean – Personal narratives.

Occupations

Journalists –Michigan – Battle Creek.
Journalists – Michigan – Lansing.

 Additional Information for Researchers

Restrictions on Access

None

 Restrictions on Use

Notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The user is cautioned that the publication of the contents of this microfilm may be construed as constituting a violation of literary property rights. These rights derive from the principle of common law, affirmed in the copyright law of 1976 as amended, that the writer of an unpublished letter or other manuscript has the sole right to publish the contents thereof unless he or she affirmatively parts with that right; the right descends to his or her legal heirs regardless of the ownership of the physical manuscript itself. It is the responsibility of a user or his or her publisher to secure the permission of the owner of literary property rights in unpublished writing.

 Preferred Citation

Paul A. Martin Papers and Correspondence, ms. collection no. 776, State Archives & Library, Kansas Historical Society.

 Acquisition Information

Gift: Michigan Historical Commission, 1965

 Processing Information

Detailed description, below, provided by the d0nor. Remainder of description by Robert L. Knecht, 2009.

 Accruals

No additional papers are anticipated.