Abigail C. Martin was born on November 25, 1854, in Muscatine, Iowa. Her parents were Elijah Cody and Elizabeth (Tingley) Martin. Her name is recorded a few different ways on various records throughout the years. They include Abbie, Abbey and Abba. She was the youngest of 11 children, and the only one born in Muscatine.
In 1870, Elijah and his family were living in Moscow Township, Muscatine County, Iowa. Along with their parents, Abbie, Rebecca, Samuel and Lucy were also enumerated. Elijah died on April 9, 1874.
Abbie married Joseph Pettus Ament on March 24, 1875, in Muscatine. They had five children: Grace A., Mabel Elizabeth, William Dudley, Bessie, Helen and Vernon J. In 1894, Abbie filed for divorce. By 1900, she was living in Chicago with her daughter, Mabel, and her son, Vernon.
In 1911, she purchased land in the Black Hills Meridian, located on the South Dakota - Wyoming border. According to her granddaughter, Helen (Marguerat) Rich (b. 1905), she operated a bakery in Froid, Montana, at a time when Helen was a child. Helen remember her mother, Mabel, and her sister, Claire (b. 1903), working with Abbie in the bakery.
She went to live in Denver, Colorado, sometime before 1930. Her son, William D., lived there. Abbie died on July 1, 1933, in Denver. She was buried on July 5th in the Crown Hill Cemetery.
I don't know exactly how I got to your blog, but I have to say, I have spent the most enjoyable 45 minutes reading about your pioneer ancestors. There are so many stories of strong women who started life in one place and then took huge leaps of faith to go to another state and start a business or job. This has been a fascinating and interesting read. Thank you.
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