McDowell Cemetery
Jefferson County, Iowa

Note: this is a fairly recent headstone installed for this Martin family. See notes below:

James Elmer Martin
Aug. 15, 1900 - March 26, 1928
Note: born in Colorado and died in Fairfield, Iowa.

"WIFE"
Sarah Ellen Dearman Martin
As engraved:
Apr. 9, 1905 - Sept. 26, 1924
(Note: the obituary for her husband, James, stated that she died on Sept. 28, 1924. The Jefferson county death record shows Sept. 26, 1924, as does the headstone inscription)


Re: George Elmer Martin
"Sept. 24, 1924 - Sept. 24, 1924"
This was their son. His Jefferson county birth record has his DOB as September 22, 1924. The death record, however, appears to have been entered into the official records incorrectly with the DOB of Sept. 24, 1925. The birth record used "Ellen" for the middle name, instead of the "Elmer" that is used on the headstone inscription shown. The death record indicated that burial was to take place at Richland, Iowa. Both parents are buried at McDowell cemetery, so it is possible that at the time of this child's death the intent was to have him buried at Richland, but since his mother died within a few days of childbirth those plans may have been changed and the infant buried at McDowell cemetery after all. Any clarification would be appreciated.


Photo by
Richard K Thompson
January 31, 2012