The William and Rose Cleantha [Blood] Martin family originated in Muskegon Michigan. They emigrated to Oregon in 1885 first living in Dayton, then Portland, and finally Salem. The family had six children: Jessie, Rosa, William, Charles, Amy and Francis, four of whom survived to adulthood. Sisters Amy and Jessie Martin, the main subjects of the collection and presumed creators, finished their public school education in Dayton and went on to Willamette University. Following graduation, Amy taught at Yew Park School and later Leslie Junior High. Jesse’s teaching career took her to NE Oregon at first, then Scapoose, WA and finally back to Salem in 1910 where she joined Amy on the teaching staff of Yew Park School. After the death of their father, they purchased a home in Salem at 1548 Lee St. Neither sister married. Combined, the sisters taught school in Salem, OR for over 80 years before retiring to the Methodist Home in 1954. Jessie died in 1959 and Amy at the age of 101, in 1982. Both are buried in City View Cemetery.

The collection contains photographs presumed to be collected by Amy and Jessie Martin. It includes formal portraits and snapshots of members of the William and Rose Cleantha [Blood] Martin families as well as images related to the schools both sister taught for.

Click here to access collection list:  Martin Family Photograph Collection

Preferred Citation: 

Martin Family Photograph Collection, Willamette Heritage Center 2012.011

Restrictions on Use:  

The Martin Family Photograph Collection is the physical property of the Willamette Heritage Center, Salem, Oregon. Please contact the Willamette Heritage Center for information regarding specific use of this collection. 

Processing Information:  

Collection processed and researched by Kaylyn F Mabey, 2012.