Hidalgo County New Mexico


Martin, Jeff D
December 14, 1862 - February 14, 1938
Jeff was born in San Antonio, Texas. Dad was T P Martin. He had one brother Johnny Martin.

He married Nora Baker and their children were Talbert, Beuford and Driscoll. He worked at the J A Ranch until 1887 and in 1899 moved to the J J Ranch. The couple later moved to Claude, Texas where Jeff went into the grocery business with his brother Johnny. During this time, he was also Sheriff of Armstrong County, Texas.

In 1919 due to Nora’s failing health (tuberculosis), Jeff moved his family to the Animas Valley in New Mexico. Jeff and the three sons operated the ranch until Jeff could no longer ride horses and take care of the cattle.

He and Nora moved into Rodeo in the two story home facing Hwy 80, which still stands on the Martin block. Beuford and Driscoll set up separate ranching operations of their own. Talbert moved to Douglas, Arizona and worked in the smelter until his accidental death in 1938.

Jeff was a very interesting man - he lived and worked with Charlie Goodnight for years and could tell many stories of life on the cattle trail.