Elitha Smith Martin
Round Mountain, Blanco County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Jan. 30, 1830-Aug. 10, 1899) Prominent local businesswoman; born in Patrick County, Virginia, she married John Martin (1826-69) on June 27, 1848. The couple came to Texas in 1856 with 4 children and settled in Llano County, where 5 more children were born. After John Martin's death, Mrs. Martin and the younger children moved here and built a 2-story hotel (100 yards E.), a livery stable, and a general mercantile store. On December 4, 1879, Mrs. Martin was appointed postmaster and served in that position until May 16, 1896, keeping the post office in the store. She was buried beside her husband in Llano County. (1974)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Virginia in 1830, Elitha Smith Martin came to Texas in 1856 and, widowed in 1869, moved to Round Mountain with her younger children and built a two-story hotel, a livery stable, and a general mercantile store. Appointed postmaster in 1879, she kept the post office in her store and served in that role for nearly seventeen years.
Why it matters
Her enterprises make visible the women who ran the businesses and held the federal appointments that kept frontier communities functioning.
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Related people
- · Elitha Smith Martin
- · John Martin
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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