George Washington Martin
Born: Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1841. Married: Lydia Coulson, Geary County, Kansas, December 20, 1863; they had five children. She died June 7, 1900. Kansas Historical Society secretary: 1899-1914. Married: Josephine (Martin) Blakely, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, October 10, 1901. Died: Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, March 27, 1914.
George Washington Martin was born to David and Mary (Howell) Martin in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, on June 30, 1841. The Martin family settled on a farm in Lecompton, Kansas Territory, in March 1857. George Martin began working for the Lecompton Union, a proslavery newspaper edited by John A. W. Jones and R. H. Bennett. Martin returned to Pennsylvania in 1859, beginning a five-year apprenticeship in a Philadelphia book office.
Martin returned to take a job in Junction City, Geary County, Kansas in 1861. He was a clerk for financial firm Streeter and Strickler, that included setting type for the firm’s investment, the Smoky Hill and Republican Union. He became co-editor of the Junction City Union in 1862. Martin married Lydia Coulson in Junction City on December 20, 1863. They had five children. Martin planned to leave the newspaper in 1864, but when the next editors stopped printing, he returned to resume his position as publisher in 1865. That year he was appointed postmaster and also register of the land office in Junction City. The land office was moved to Salina in 1871.
Earning a reputation for his thoughtful, stirring, and provocative editorials, Martin later commented: "They were marvels of nerve and ignorance. l was then an unblushing prevaricator and was held responsible for all the crop failures up the Smoky Hill, but I can now claim that I was a prophet. I have lived long enough to see those editorials vindicated."
In a highly contested vote, the Kansas legislature chose Martin as state printer in January 1873. Since some printers found the position to be lucrative, it became a highly sought, staunchly guarded appointment. Martin met similar challenges each time he was reelected. His work to reform the office was honored with a resolution by his successor on January 18, 1881: "Resolved, That George W. Martin, the retiring state printer, is entitled to, and we tender him, the warmest commendations of the legislature of the State of Kansas in joint convention assembled, for the high standard to which he has raised the state printing; for his integrity of character as state printer, being ever watchful of the rights of the people, even to his own expense. He commenced his career eight years ago with an untarnished character, and leaves it today with a character unblemished, even by the severest critic."
In addition to the publishing industry, Martin became involved in community organizations and politics. He was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, serving one term, 1881-1883. He was elected mayor, serving one term, 1883-1884. Martin sold the Union in 1888 and purchased the Kansas City Gazette in Wyandotte County.
While editor of the Gazette, Franklin Adams, secretary of the Kansas State Historical Society, became ill and died in office. Martin was among the hopeful candidates who put forward their names for consideration. He was elected to fill the position of secretary on December 6, 1899.
Martin followed goals similar to Adams, with an effort to raise visibility. “I think the importance and dignity of this institution warrants its being placed on an equality with other departments. It has always been regarded and treated as a sort of tale [sic] end or old chestnut, but I say it is the most useful and complete part of this great establishment. I want to increase its expenses about $2,400.00 a year in additional salaries, book fund and contingent fund.”
Pawnee Indian Village, near Republic, was the first historic property donated to the State of Kansas to be operated as a state historic site in 1901. First Territorial Capital at Fort Riley was acquired through a joint resolution to be maintained by the state in 1901. Martin was a visible representative for the agency among the important speakers at well-attended events celebrating the new state status for these sites.
Lydia (Coulson) Martin died in Topeka in 1900. A year later Martin married Josephine (Morgan) Blakely in Topeka.
Martin continued to articulate hopes for a future home, “. . .a commodious building commensurate with the glory of our history . . .” He was involved in talks with the Grand Army of the Republic about sharing a facility that would be made possible with a $90,000 Civil War claim appropriate to states by the federal government. Federal funds ultimately reached nearly $525,000 to repay state money to furnish and equip Union army troops. The Kansas legislature created the Memorial Hall Building Commission in 1909 to select a site and develop appropriations for construction of the new facility. Over the next few years Martin, staff members, and board members faced the challenges of negotiated space allocations in the new building with the GAR. He was among the many participants in the laying of the cornerstone with President William Howard Taft in 1911.
Construction was underway when Martin suffered a stroke in September 1912, which caused some paralysis and impacted his regular duties. He continued to serve as secretary until he suffered a final stroke and died in Topeka on March 27, 1914, weeks ahead of the grand opening of Memorial Hall.
Entry: Martin, George Washington
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: February 2025
Date Modified: March 2025
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
