Martin Abstract Company
Jourdanton, Atascosa County, Texas
Marker Inscription
By the early 20th century the ranching industry that spurred the growth of Atascosa County had begun to wane, with many large ranches split into smaller ranches, farms and town lots. George M. Martin realized the importance of a company to research title in relation to the resulting real estate transactions, and he founded Martin Abstract Company in 1909. After Martin's death in 1917, the company was purchased in 1919 by A. N. Steinle, a Jourdanton attorney. His son, Glenn N. Steinle, owned and managed the business after returning from military service during WWII until his death in 1983. Following his death, the company has continued to be owned and operated by members of the Steinle family. (2009)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
As Atascosa County's great ranches were carved into smaller farms and town lots in the early 1900s, George M. Martin saw the need to research land titles for all the new transactions and founded the Martin Abstract Company in 1909. After his death the firm passed in 1919 to attorney A. N. Steinle, and his son Glenn ran it after returning from World War II service until 1983. The company has stayed in the Steinle family ever since.
Why it matters
The firm's century of title work traces the transformation of South Texas from open ranchland into a landscape of farms, towns, and everyday property ownership.
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Related people
- · George M. Martin
- · A. N. Steinle
- · Glenn N. Steinle
Themes & tags
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