While researching, particularly when it comes to building histories or genealogies, I often get side tracked and end up down what I call a research rabbit hole. Today I want to share the findings of one of these trips down a Belle Plaine research rabbit hole I recently took.
As someone who is new to the community, one way I enjoy learning about the past is simply going down Main Street and seeing how things have changed. When asked, my favorite research tool is hands-down the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps. Belle Plaine is one of the communities in Scott County which had these maps completed. You can find them on the Library of Congress’ website, if you feel like nerding out like I did.
The Triangle Motor Company in 1923. Scott County Historical Society.
I noticed that a business located on the southwest corner of East Main Street and South Chestnut Street had been a livery and then later the Triangle Motor Company. This sparked my interest as it had changed from one mode of transportation to another. That’s another story for another day. Next I wondered who owned this livery and what was their story?
Wilson Martin grew up in St. Lawrence and then Jordan. His father was a farmer and he had many siblings. In 1889, Wilson married Elvira Irwin (the daughter of a local attorney) and the couple lived in Belle Plaine. By the 1900 census, Wilson and Elvira had two daughters; Florence and Frances. Wilson listed his occupation as liveryman. In 1905 his occupation changed to Vet Surgeon and then in 1910 he listed his occupation as veterinarian. In 1920, the family had moved to the Snelling Hamline neighborhood of St. Paul, where Wilson was working in Real Estate and Frances was listed under the name Frances Snow, married (though no husband was on the census record).
Photograph of Frances Martin in 1896. The little girl standing behind Frances may be her sister, Florence. Scott County Historical Society.
Although there were two daughters, we are going to focus on Florence for this story. Florence was born in 1892 and grew up in Belle Plaine. The 1910 census lists Florence’s occupation as a teacher at the public school. We have a few photographs of Florence in the collection, including one of her as part of the Hiker’s Club.
Later census records note that Florence completed three years of college. she likely was in college at the time of the 1920 census when the family lived in St. Paul, as no occupation was listed. Florence married Joseph Houck in 1922. Here’s where the story gets exciting.
Four generations of women. They are, from left to right, Eunice Chatfield, Elvira Martin, and Cecilia Chatfield Irwin. Elvira holds baby Florence in her lap. Scott County Historical Society.
By 1930, the couple had moved out to Los Angeles where Joseph owned an advertising agency and was known as a pioneer in public utility car advertising. The couple lived at 1825 N. Kingsley Dr., which is still there today (you can search the address online and be able to do a street view of the building). It was near Hollywood Boulevard. Other residents in the apartment building included actors and actresses, directors, and musicians for motion pictures. In 1937, Florence found work as a hotel clerk and by 1942 according to Joseph’s draft card, they were living in what is today known as Castle Argyle in Los Angeles (another apartment building).
Joseph died in 1949 and was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Although Florence and Joseph never had children together, Joseph had a son from a first marriage. His son, who went by his middle name of Curtis, found work as a musician in a dance orchestra and then followed his father’s footsteps and worked in advertising in Los Angeles.
In 1950, Florence married William Crawford. William died in 1960, but beyond that we lose Florence’s trail. From growing up in rural Minnesota, the daughter of a liveryman to becoming a public school teacher and then getting married and moving out to an apartment off Hollywood Boulevard to then disappearing in the records….what a story! If you know the rest of Florence’s story we would love to know!
By Lindsay Marshall, Executive Director