William "Ben" Benjamin Martin

Ben Martin Dies at O'Neill, Nebr.

Word of the death of Ben Martin was received here Monday forenoon, Feb. 11, stating that he had died at 2:00 o'clock that morning at O'Neill, Nebr., from a heart ailment with which he had been afflicted for several years.

Mr. Martin had been a long time resident of this part of Wyoming, having lived in the Flattop community, Manville and Lance Creek. He was engaged in ranching during the years he lived here but retired several years ago and moved to O'Neill, Nebr.

Funeral services were being held in O'Neill Wednesday morning and the body will then be brought to Lusk where a short service will be conducted by the Rev. Harold Weaver, at the Peet chapel Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock.

Interment will be made in the Manville Cemetery beside his first wife and a child who died while small. He was a veteran of World War I and will be buried with military honors.

Survivors include his wife of O'Neill and a stepson, William Morey, of Riverton, Wyo.

Thon Files, Feb 21, 1952

Last Rites Held for Ben Martin

The last rites for Ben Martin, 60, a resident of this community for more than 35 years, were conducted from the Peet Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14. Mr. Martin died at O'Neill, Nebr. Feb. 11 and the body was brought here for services.

The Rev. Harold Weaver, pastor of St George's Episcopal Church, officiated at the service with the music being furnished by Mrs. A.F. DeCastro, Mrs. Emerson Bonner and Eldon Froke, accompanied by Mrs. J.P. Watson.

The casket bearers were Ray Baughn, Lloyd Smith, George Gibson, Jack MeFarlane, Floyd McCleerey and Ernest Jugler.

Burial was made in the Manville Cemetery beside his wife, Margaret, and infant son. Full military honors were accorded him at the grave by the members of Weiten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion.

William Benjamin Martin was born at Mapleton, Ia. July 17, 1891. At the age of 5 he moved with his parents to Kimball, Minn., where his father died when he was 8. When he was 14 he went to O'Neill, Nebr., and made his home with his oldest brother, C. E. Martin, and family.

In 1914 he filed on a homestead in Niobrara County, some 20 miles north of Lusk where he continued to operate a ranch until poor health forced him to retire.

He enlisted for service in World War I on May 25, 1918 and served in France where he was wounded in action in Verdun Sector. He was discharged from military service Apr. 27, 1919.

Mr. Martin was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church in Lusk. In February, 1920, he was married to Miss Margaret Pierce of Keeline, and they were the parents of two sons, both dying in infancy. His wife died Mar. 25, 1923 at the age of 25. In 1925 he married Lotta B. Knox who died in 1949.

For a short time he made his home with his stepson, William Morey, and family at Riverton until his marriage to Mrs. Emma Mielke of O'Neill, Nebr., where he resided until his death.

Survivors include his wife and stepson, William J. Morey, of Riverton, Wyo., two sisters, Mrs. Amy Jones, Phoenix, Ariz., and Mrs. Edna Greeley, Wahkon, Minn. He was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.

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