04/19/2025
** Celebrating 200 Years **
Pictured in a Nix studio photograph in early 1892 is one of the most prominent families of Williamsville during much of the 1880's and the early portion of the 1890's. It is the Martindale family; in front, A.B. Martindale, Mamie Martindale, Arthur Martindale and Belle Martindale. In back, Maude Martindale and Walter Martindale.
Ambrose Bryant Martindale was born May 26, 1844 at Bismarck, St. Francois County, MO. He was a son of Howell Brewer & Mary Elizabeth (Eaton) Martindale. The father was a talented wheelwright, and throughout the 1840's and 1850's, the profession took the family to Washington County, MO., and northeast Arkansas.
While in Arkansas at the breakout of the Civil War, A.B. Martindale enlisted for the Confederacy in CO A of Crawford's Battalion. He was wounded in battle, taken prisoner and sent to the Union hospital at Benton Barracks, MO. It was while in the custody of the Union, he took an oath of allegiance to the United States. He was paroled and sent home. He later enlisted for the Union in the 50th Regiment Infantry Volunteers and served the duration of the war.
On June 13, 1872 he married Zilla Melissa (Robinson) Martindale (1850-1877). They were the parents of three children; Lucy A., Robert E. and Francis L. Martindale. After the death of his first wife, he married a second time on July 2, 1879 in Washington County to Sarah Belle (Forshee) Martindale (1856-1923). They became the parents of six children; William C., Maude A., Walter I., Mamie O., Maggie V. and Arthur B. Martindale.
Martindale become an established bookkeeper and manager in the lumber industry. He grew in stature and in 1883 was elected the Washington County Representative to the thirty second session of the Missouri General Assembly.
After his service in the General Assembly had ended, a rising entrepreneur solicited Martindale to join his lumber empire in Wayne County. The businessman was Hiram N. Holladay, the now legendary lumber king of the time period. The Martindale family migrated to Wayne County and settled in Williamsville. Martindale was hired the general manager of the large and extensive businesses of Holladay. He basically became the "right hand man" of the local empire.
A.B. Martindale, known to friends as "Bryan", established himself quickly in his new community. On December 26, 1885 he was one of the constituted members of Masonic Lodge #107, established at Williamsville. He served as the charter Worshipful Master and would eventually become the District Deputy Grand Master of the Nineteenth Masonic District. In addition he was a member of the Williamsville Chapter of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. Martindale and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Williamsville. His biography was included in the 1888 "History of Southeast, Missouri", by Goodspeed.
It is unclear if a better business opportunity arose, but Martindale left Williamsville in 1892. On June 23, 1892 he was given a dimit from the Masonic Lodge to join elsewhere. The family followed the timber industry to Nacogdoches, Texas and remained there the rest of their lives. A.B. Martindale died on October 29, 1918 at Houston, Texas.
Today, largely forgotten in Wayne County, the only evidence of the Martindale family are in the records of the Masonic Lodge and the graves of Martindale children, William C. and Maggie V. Martindale in the old Williamsville City cemetery. What little time the family spent here, it was of usefulness and prominence.
Organized in 1985, the Wayne County Historical Society has for 35 years, preserved the rich history of our Wayne County, Missouri. Have YOU joined yet? O.
