Hidalgo County New Mexico


Martin, “Popo” Buford
July 21, 1900 - August 21, 1978
Popo was born at Claude, Texas to Jefferson (Jeff) Davis Martin and Nora Baker Martin. He attended school in Claude and later went to the Military Academy at Temple. He moved to New Mexico with his family in 1919. The family went into the ranching business near Animas, New Mexico.

Beuford met and married Vivian Black who then resided at Pratt, New Mexico They were married in Silver City, New Mexico December 20, 1923. Together they raised two daughters Norene (Posey) and Rita Verne (Hill).

Beuford drove an ore truck from Hilltop, Arizona to Douglas for a short while then went into ranching on his own at the Coyote Ranch near Granite Gap. Beuford sold the ranch in 1936 and moved the family to Rodeo, where he purchased the General Merchandise store from R.A Wiley and went into business until 1944. During this time he purchased the Smith Hotel which was directly across the street from the grocery store, four rental houses and numerous tracts of land in and around Rodeo.

In 1944 he sold the hotel building and the stock and fixtures from the grocery business to Bill Kambitch. Beuford continued to operate the gasoline station until his death. He was Postmaster for a number of years when the Post Office was located in the hotel.

Beuford always loved livestock so he and Vivian always kept milkcows, chickens and always a horse. He acquired the nickname (Popo) when his first grand children arrived (twins Dennis & Dena Posey) and the name stuck with him through the remainder of his life. He died in Tucson at St Joseph’s Hospital.