A DIARY OF IDA MARTIN: JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 30.

1887

Ernst F. Tonsing, Ph.D. ~ vjf L-I*

I. INTRODUCTION

A small diary was discovered among the effects of the Reverent Ernest Tonsing of
Topeka, Kansas, after his death in July, 1995.1 The little book was from his grandmother,
Ida (Challiss) Martin, the wife of the tenth governor of the State of Kansas, John
Alexander Martin. It must have been passed down from Rev. Tonsing's mother, Ruth
Tonsing,2 daughter of Ida, and was unknown to the family until found in a box containing
a variety of family photographs and documents.

This diary affords a brief glimpse into the life of Ida Martin showing her to be an
active and respected resident of Atchison, Kansas, who embodied the ideals of Victorian
womanhood. This in itself would make the book of interest. But there are other aspects
of her life and family which are notable. Her father, Dr. William L. Challiss, one of the
earliest physicians in Kansas, arrived in Atchison in 1856 when it was little more than
grass covered hills. Dr. Challiss invested in land in the heart of the town and homesteaded
to the west of it. There he had a large herd of three thousand sheep, cared for by a
shepherd brought over from Scotland for that purpose. He was a founder of Atchison and
of the town of Woodlawn to the west in Nemaha County. He also purchased the ferry
across the Missouri, naming the steamship "The Ida," for his eldest daughter.3

Her mother, Mary Ann (Harres) Challiss, had followed her husband west from a
luxurious home and was unaccustomed to hardships. But, energetically, she entered into
the tasks helping to build the log house and cooking the family's meals outside on a stove
under a grove of trees. Ida Martin remembered that she helped her mother cook and
carried water a long distance from a spring. Several times she had to chase off pigs that
had overturned the dinner, burning their greedy noses. The family never missed the
Baptist church services in town, sometimes hitching oxen rather than horses to the wagon
when the roads were quite muddy.4 Later, her mother was to give an account of the
congregation in a book of one-hundred twenty-three pages.5

Ida excelled in Stort's Academy in Atchison,6 and, she recalled, while yet a small
girl, spelled down the entire school, even the "grownups." Her courtship with John
Alexander Martin, the future governor, was especially romantic. "Colonel Martin," as he
was then known, had already distinguished himself in the community when they met at
church. She was sixteen and he was ten years older. Church socials then were important
affairs, held in large rooms with tables or booths selling ice cream, lemonade,flowers,etc.,
around the sides, and an area for couples to promenade arm-in-arm in the center. Ida was

l
managing a flower table when the "Colonel" was introduced to her. He must have been
quite taken with her, for, she recalled, he "bought my entire stock!"7

It was four years before they were married. Her parents were very strict, so that
when he walked her home from church she would not dare to invite him in. However, he
finally mentioned a book he would like to loan her. He brought it to the house, and,
afterwards, was allowed to visit her Sunday and Thursday evenings. Shortly before they
were engaged, Ida left for Philadelphia to visit relatives. Her mother instructed her, "Ida,
you must not write to John Martin." She did not. However, John asked to be allowed to
write her. With her mother's reluctant permission, John poured out his heart in a twenty-
four page letter she treasured the rest of her life. Upon their marriage on June 1, 1871,
she watched a grand, Italianate, brick house high on the two hundred foot bluffs above the
Missouri River built as a wedding present for her.8 Behind it was the carriage house with
room for three vehicles and horses, and a loft for the hay. And alongside the house on the
north was a gymnasium with windows around all sides, outfitted with parallel bars and
other athletic equipment. The house featured spacious rooms with twelve-foot ceilings
and a library containing over six thousand volumes, which, at Governor Martin's death,
was the largest in the state. In this library were to be found reference works on printing,
ancient and modern history, military drills and procedures, art, ancient numismatics,
Alaskan exploration, maps, literature and, especially, poetry.9

Her husband, John Alexander Martin,10 had been secretary to the first territorial
governor, and, as secretary of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, authored the
Preamble and five of the nine articles of the constitution of the State of Kansas. In
contrast to the four previous constitutions, this document was strongly abolitionist, and
won the approval of the United States Congress. On February 20, 1858, Martin had also
purchased the oldest newspaper in the state, The Squatter Sovereign (founded February 3,
1856), and merged it with another paper, renaming it, The Freedom's Champion. He
remained its editor and publisher the rest of his life. In addition, in 1861 he was elected a
state senator of the District of Atchison and Brown Counties. All of this was before John
A. Martin was twenty-one years of age! In the summer of 1861 he was mustered in as
lieutenant colonel of the Eight Kansas Regiment, and was promoted colonel a year later.
He served valiantly during the campaigns of Corinth, Chattanooga, Cumberland,
Missionary Ridge and Chicamouga, having two horses shot from under him and returning
home with bullet holes in his cap and uniform. He was mustered out as brigadier general
in November, 1864. Subsequent to the Civil War he served as mayor of the city of
Atchison, and was one of the founders and president (1878) of the Kansas State Historical
Society. His terms as governor covered the years 1884 to 1889.11

Ida Martin, as will be seen in the diary, was a leader in the community and a
vigorous mother and friend. In contrast to her husband's political life, her life was more
tranquil and established, consisting of her care for the children, family and friends, and her
work with The Society,12 the Y.M.C.A, and First Baptist Church. Yet, echoes of the
activities of her husband appear in the document.
 II. THE CONTENTS OF THE DIARY

Only the first three months of the year 1887 were recorded in the diary, with
occasional lapses no doubt due to the pressures of a busy mother in a large family. This
family is constantly mentioned in the little book. They consisted of her grandmother,
Maria Grace Harres,13 mother, Mary Ann Challiss (referred to as "Mamma" in the diary),14
and father, William L. Challiss, M.D.,15 six younger sisters and three younger brothers:
Bertha (nicknamed "Bert"),16 Paul,17 Maria (nicknamed "Mina"),18 Blanche,19 Dora,20
Daisy,21 Amelia (nicknamed "Millie"),22 James Milbank,23 and Ralph H.24

Ida Martin's immediate family consisted of her husband, John Alexander Martin,
and her children, four daughters and three sons: Ruth,25 Grace,26 Faith,27 Paul
Alexander,28 Ethel,29 Evan C. (renamed John Alexander when his father died in 1889),30
and Harres,31 who was born six months after the last entry in the diary. Also mentioned is
her husband's sister, Anna Isabel (nicknamed "Belle") (Martin) Smith.32

While most of the entries are spare, never utilizing all the lines allowed for writing
on the pages, the comments reveal the cares, tragedies, but also the joys of life in
Atchison, Kansas, over one hundred years ago. As there was no governor's mansion in
Topeka at that time, and the salary of the chief executive of the state was only $3,000 a
year,33 the wife of the governor remained in Atchison, far from the bustle of the capital
city of Topeka. Also, the responsibility of Ida Martin for the management of the large
house at 315 Terrace Avenue required her presence while her husband commuted to
Topeka for his gubernatorial duties.

Only once is a visit to Topeka mentioned, and that was for the second inauguration
of her husband as governor. It was probably at that occasion which she wore a gown
consisting of dress, blouse, vest and coat, which was woven from silk produced entirely in
Kansas. Only the hat was made elsewhere—in Paris, France.34 While distant from the
politics of the state, Ida Martin wrote that on March 19th she had registered as a voter. On
February 10th, the House of Representatives had approved the woman suffrage bill in a
vote of ninety-one to twenty-two, making Kansas the first state in the nation to give
municipal voting rights to women. While women's suffrage was only to come thirty-three
years later with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States in 1920, the 1887 Kansas bill allowed women to vote in city and school
elections and for school bonds, and opened the possibilities for women to hold municipal
offices.35 The terse entry on a conversation about voting on March 10th, and this note on
the 19th in her diary revealed that Ida Martin thought it significant enough to make a
comment. As these were the only ones of a political nature in the book, one can sense her
excitement that the bill, sponsored by her husband, had passed with a significant majority.
Family tradition36 suggests that her own strong endorsement was behind her husband's
patronage of the bill. The other entries of the diary record her more routine activities as
wife, mother and member of the Atchison community.
 in. THE FORMAT OF THE DIARY

Beyond the content of the journal is the interesting format of the diary which
functioned as an almanac as well as record book. Just four and three-quarters by three
inches, with gilt edges, only the back cover, a buff-colored board with a red accordion-
fold pouch for receipts and a place to insert a pencil, remain of its binding. As was typical
of such publications, useful information was included to make it an all-purpose tool in the
economy of an household. Back pages were provided for "Memoranda," "Cash account,"
"Expense for..," "Notes and Bills," 'Tayable and Receivable," and "Summary of Notes
and Bills." In these latter pages only two have notes. Under "Memoranda" is:

Ella came Jan. 24.

Feb. 5 paid her $5.00

This may have been the salary for a maid who assisted in the chores and food preparation
in the huge dwelling. And under ""Cash Account" is the date, 1887, having the columns,
"Date," and "Paid" with a space between to describe the expense:

Jan 11 Diaries [sic] 2.25

Grapes .25
Carriage 2.00
To Ruth .25
""for bus [.50] [a line is drawn through entry]
" 12 ""grapes .20
" overshoes [?] .60
" 13 "hack 3.00
" sundries .55
9.10

The front cover of the diary is missing, so the top pages begin with a series of
tables enabling the little book to serve as a handy reference for the year. Thus, the first
page has "Astronomical Calculations," containing "Eclipses," "Morning and Evening
Stars," "The Seasons (Eastern Standard Time.)" listing the day, hour and minute each
begins and ends, and "Chronological Cycles," as follows:

Dominical letter, B
Epact (Moon's age Jan.l), 6
Lunar Cycle (Golden No.), 7
Solar Cycle, 20
Roman Indiction, 15
Julian Period 6600
Dionysian Period, 216
Jewish Lunar Cycle 4
The second page has "Herschel Weather Table. 'Probabilities' Based on Changes of the
Moon," and "Value of Foreign Coins." The third page contains "Rates of Postage." For
example, it shows "Domestic—First Class" letters at "2 cents per ounce or fraction
thereof," and "Postal Cards furnished by Government, 1 cent." "Drop-Letters," are listed
for, "Delivered by carrier, 2 cents; not delivered by carrier, 1 cent."

The fourth page contains the populations by "States" (Kansas is listed at 995,335,
"Territories" (Utah listed as 143,907, Dakota as 134,502, Arizona as 40,441, and Alaska
as --), and "Principal Cities" (St. Louis, Mo., 350,522, Wash'gton, D.C., 147,307, Kansas
City, Mo., 55,813). Pages five and six contain "Weights and Measures," and conversions
for "The Metric System." The next two pages contain "Business Information," with
definitions of "Demand Notes," "A Negotiable Note," etc., "Bills of Exchange,"
"Equation of Payments" for "One Dollar Loaned 100 Years," and "Interest Calculations."

Pages nine and ten have recommendations for emergencies: "Valuable Information
In case of Injury where a Physician can not be secured," containing, for example, advice to
treat someone who has drowned. One must turn the person on the side, applying snuff or
ammonia to the nostrils, dashing cold water in the face, rubbing briskly until warm, and
rocking the person from side to side to "imitate respiration." If this does not stimulate
breathing, then "let the surface of the body be briskly slapped with the hand, or let cold
water be dashed briskly on the surface, previously rubbed dry and warm." Suffocation
"from breathing noxious vapors from Wells, Coal Gas, or Charcoal Fumes," is to be
treated in this way: remove the person to fresh air, sprinkle cold water on the face and
head, and "rub strong vinegar about nostrils, give drink of vinegar and water," followed by
the same advice as for drowning.

These pages are followed by one with suggestions how to remove stains and spots,
two of "Useful Information for Business Men," with "Rules for Calculating Speed of
Pulleys," of "Belts," giving rules for the care and transmitting power of leather drive belts,
with pages fourteen andfifteenhaving "Strength of Belt Leather," advice for the "Painter,
Glazier, and Paper-Hanger," then the "Mason, Etc.," "Slating" (measuring, covering the
eaves of a building, pitch, etc.), "Coal and Coke," with weights of the various types of
fuels. Then sixteen has "High Water, San Francisco," seventeen, "Distance From New
York" in miles (Stockholm, Antwerp, Calcutta and Shanghai are mentioned, but not
Kansas City or Los Angeles). Eighteen has 'Time Used in Calendars," with explanations
to calculate the high tides for Boston and New York, with an additional table for
Nantucket, Mass., St. Augustine, Fla., etc. Pages nineteen through thirty contain these
calendars with tables for the sun's rising and setting, phases of the moon and high tides in
Boston and New York.

Page thirty-one begins "Addresses and Memoranda," with only two entries:

Ella McSutt.
Box 14, Wyandotte, Kan.
 Mrs. E. Rigney
1334 Frederick Ave. St. Joe.

It is only on page thirty-seven that the "Daily Memoranda" begins with the note, "Space is
provided for recording the state of the Thermometer and weather. The Moon's Changes,
and Stated Church Days are also noticed as they occur," followed by small illustrations of
the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon and Last Quarter, each shaded appropriately,
but containing the features of a face. After the month and year, each day is noted on top
of the page by an abbreviated day name and number, with a space after "Ther." to record
the temperature, and after "Weather," for a description of the climate.

Ida Martin made her entries with a small but clear, elegant hand, mostly in black
ink, but occasionally pencil. In the following copy of the diary, her spelling, capitalization
and abbreviations are followed as much as it is possible to interpret the penmanship. To
enable interpretation of the manuscript., editorial notes and clarifications are made within
brackets [ ]. Identifications of family members can be found above, but other people
mentioned in the diary are identified in the endnotes. However, the frequent use of just
first names, initials or even nick-names makes it difficult to identify all of the persons.

IV. THE DIARY: "DAILY MEMORANDA"

JANUARY. 1887

SAT. 1. Faith taken sick with acute bronchitis. Ordered up stairs to be kept in one
room. Colonel [also spelled "Col," this is the customary manner in which
Ida Martin referred to her husband, John Alexander Martin] came home
last night, to stay until Monday. I intended to have all the girls here to
spend the evening, but had to sent them word not to come.

SUN. 2. Ther. 14 below zero. Weather, clear. Faith somewhat better, though still
quite sick. No one left the house to-day. Took turns caring for Faith.
Mamma was over at noon, treated her to lemon ice.

MON. 3, Colonel returned to Topeka. Millie came over and staid [sic, this spelling
was common in the nineteenth century] until after dinner. We were very
busy all day, Faith requiring constant attention. Mina came in the evening.
Faith somewhat better.

TUE. 4. Weather, clear. The Dr. pronounced Faith very much better. Mina was
here all night, and staid for help a little this morning. I staid home all day.
Prayer meeting every night at our church. I have not yet attended.

WED. 5. Ther. 20. Weather, cloudy and snowy. Have been home all day, spent the
afternoon caring for Faith who is not convalescent, but still up stairs.
Blanche was here all night, and went home directly after breakfast. Aunt
 Millie came over a little while this afternoon. Let Evan go over to supper
at Grandma C's. The river presents a busy scene, men cutting and hauling
ice and sand. Have started to read a little book 'The Percys." Dora is
coming to stay all night.

THUR. 6. Ther. 5 below zero. Weather, morning snowy afternoon clear.

Arose at 6 this morning, and came down with Paul. Dora staid all night.
Mrs. Mulford37 and Mrs. Ingalls38 called in the afternoon. Dr. Holland
came to see Faith, and ordered her down stairs. Ruth and Grace went to
prayer meeting. Spent the evening making Evan a pair of cloth mitts.

FRI. 7. Ther. 2 below. Weather, Snowy. Have been at home all day amusing
babies, mending etc. No one was here all night. Reed, a letterfromCol.
This morning. Mamma was over a few minutes at noon, and Mina brought
over the plan of her house to show me this evening. The annual meeting
of the Society occurred today, but it was too stormy to go. Quite a deep
snow is on the ground.

SAT. 8. Ther. Zero. Weather, blustery & snowy. I have been busy all day. This
afternoon, went down town, did the usual Saturday errands, then went
with Mina to Donald's. Jim is quite sick. Had a pleasant call there.
Stopped in to see Mrs. Martin and found them all as usual. Mamma came
over a little while to-night. Received a telegram from Col. saying he
would not be home, on account of the snow blocade [sic.]. That was quite
a disappointment. Also received a letter by special deliveryfromCol.

SUN. 9. Ther. 5 below. Weather, clear. The thermometer was 20 below at

half-past seven this morning, so none of us ventured out to church. The
Dr. came up to see Katie's son too. She is limping around on a cane. I
took tea over at Mamma's. Dan and Bert were there also. Faith is so
cute. She says "name Face,"[?] and seems to understand so much.

MON. 10. [In pencil] Came to Topeka with Ruth & Grace to be present at the
inauguration. Every thing passed off splendidly. The inauguration took
place at 3 in the afternoon, and the reception and the ball in the evening.
I stood up and shook hands with a crowd that lasted over two hours.

TUES. 11. The folks left for Philadelphia this evening. I was not present to say
good-bye.

THUR. 13. [In pencil] I am still in Topeka. Spent the morning making a pair of
moccasins for Paul, also wrote three letters. Made some calls this
afternoon. Attended the Baptist prayer meeting with Mrs. Mulrane [sic.?].
I enjoyed it very much.
FRI. 14. Weather, clear. Returned homefromTopeka. Began reading Chas.
Reade's "A woman-hater." They elected me treasurer of the "Society."39

SAT. 15. Ther. 35. Weather, clear. Spent the day in the usual routine. Attended a
meeting at the Y.M.C. A. rooms to make arrangements for afreelunch
for the young men. Made arrangements to have it on next Thursday
evening. Grace and Ethel visited Constance Ingalls. Ruth and Grace are
spending the evening with Belle. Ifinishedtwo pair of baby moccasins.
Paul does not seem very well, gave him a dose of [cod-liver] oil.

TUES. 18. Paul is 8 months old today. Received a postalfromMamma telling of

their safe arrival on Thursday night.

WED. 19. Weather, clear & warm. Ruth and I visited the photographer this morning,
and both sat for pictures. In the afternoon, Katie and I took down the
"twins," as we call the babies. Got a picture together, and one separately
of each. I went out to Ella's, and staid an hour or so. Ruth started to
Miss Leasdale's school this afternoon. I am knitting a toboggan cap for
Ruth, but it is slow work.

THUR. 20. Spent the evening at the Y.M.C. A. had a pleasant time.

FRI. 21. Sallie Probasco40 called a few moments. Entered on my duties as

treasurer in our Society this afternoon. Faith stood alone and walked
a step or two.

SAT. 22. Received a letterfromBlanche. Salted down 128 lbs. of meat.

SUN. 23. Weather, very mild. Mrs. Mulford sick and no regular service only prayer
meeting. I staid to Sunday School and sat in the bible class. Mrs. Alderson
taught.41 Wrote a letter to Blanche and one also to Eliza Keith.

WED. 26. [In pencil] Attended prayer meeting with Ruth & Grace.

THUR. 27. [In pencil] Called to see Mrs. Mulford. also [sic] went to see little
Helen who was sick.
42
FRI. 28. [In pencil] Attended Society meeting at Mrs. Andrews.,z A very good
attendance.

SAT. 29. [In pencil] Called on Mrs. Mulford. Called on Mrs. Laries43 but did not
find her home. Aunt Millie here this morning.

SUN. 30. [In pencil] Had prayer meeting this morning. Resolved to hold nightly
meetings until Maj. Penn's arrival.44 I was put in a committee to provide
 for his entertainment. Wrote Mina a seven page letter.

MON. 31. [In pencil] Ther. 4 above. Weather, very cold. Called on Mrs. Laries
and had a long talk about church affairs. Called on Mrs. Mulford a
few minutes before the meeting. Grace and I attended prayer meeting.
Not many there, but a good meeting.

FEBRUARY. 1887

WED. 3 [2] Weather, very cold. We began having family worship this morning. Ruth
and I attended prayer meeting to-night. A very good attendance and a
great deal of interest. A letter from Mamma received. Attended a large
reception at Mrs. Ingalls'.

THUR. 4. [3] Ther. 7 below. Weather, bitter cold. Paul cut his first tooth. I have been
home all day. Belle Murphy took supper with me.45

THUR. 10. Attended a lunch party at Mill's.46 A muddy rainy day, but about forty
present.

FRI. 11. Attended a Musicale at Mrs. Ballantine's.

SAT. 12. Called on Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Collett.47

SUN. 13. I took a class in the S.S. Have a class of 9 little girls. Wrote a long letter
to Mrs. Keith.
.48 49
MON. 14. Called on Aunt Imma and Lillie Bailey

TUES. 15. Spent part of the afternoon at Aunties'.

WED. 16. Grandma, Auntie, Lillie B., here to dinner. Mrs. Rogers, Bert and Mrs.
Guthrie50 spent the afternoon. Ethel failed to return after school. Searched
everywhere for her, had the police out. She came home about half past
six. She had gone to take tea with her friend Tillie Adams.

THUR. 17. A long letter from Mamma. Maj. Penn arrives. Held the first meeting
this evening.

FRI. 18. Attended Society at Mrs. Mulford's. also [sic.} a meeting at the church.
Col. came home unexpectedly. Did not go to church this evening.

MARCH. 1887

WED. 9. Weather, Lovely. Col. has been at home until to-day. Mrs. Cochrane51
 and I spent the afternoon visiting non-paying members. We held the last
of our series of meetings to-night. Mrs. Mulford spoke on the prodigal
son, and Jud52 arose for prayer. Maj. Perm has been here for two weeks
and a half, and Ruth and Grace came out. About or nearly thirty professed
conversion. I have just written to Mamma.

THUR. 10. Weather, Spring like. Attended a lunch at Mrs. Blair's, this afternoon.
Had a lovely discussion on voting. Jud spent the evening here. Grace
has been complaining all day.

SUN. 13. Grace was baptized. Paul is in town.

MON. 14. Mrs. Prentiss [sic.],53 Mrs. Donald and Susie called to-day.

TUES. 15. Grandma and I went to see Lillie Bailey and her baby born on the 6th.
Also went to Ella Mills'.

WED. 16. Received a long letterfromMamma and answered it. Jud and I went to
prayer meeting.

FRI. 18. The Society met with Mrs. Baughman. I attended. I went to hear Mrs.
Gougar lecture in the evening.

SAT. 19. I registered as a voter this morning. This afternoon wrote to Harriet
Myer and Mrs. Gougar.

SUN. 20. Attended church as usual this morning. Mr. Mulford preached on "Cast
thy burden on the Lord." Quite aflurryof snow this afternoon. We had
a callfromMiss Kate Field, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Prentis [sic.].

TUES. 22. Mrs. W. B. Collett called this afternoon. I rode out to Bert's, but did not
find her home. Jud was over all the evening, and brought the Globe
[the Atchison newspaper] in which was published my letter to Mrs.
Gougar.

WED. 23. Mrs. Hetherington died at twelve O'clock last night.54

THUR. 24. EUe commenced to sew. Attended Mrs. H. funeral this afternoon.

WED. 30. Jud united with the church. Wrote to Mamma and Col.

V. IDA (CHALLISS) MARTIN

With the sudden death of the governor October 2, 1889, shortly after he concluded
his second term, the great personal strength and solid religious faith of Ida Martin
sustained her as she raised her seven children and conducted her activities in the
community and family. In 1932, after many years of being cared for by her son-in-law and
daughter, the Rev. Paul Gerhard and Ruth Tonsing, Ida Martin died in the house which sat
amid the elms and maple trees her husband had planted high on the banks of the Missouri
River, the house which she had entered as a bride.

Ernst F. Tonsing, Ph.D.

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
June 1, 1997

1
The Rev. Dr. Ernst (Ernest) Frederick Tonsing (July 7, 1908-July 13, 1995) was pastor of First Lutheran
Church, Topeka, Kansas, from 1946 to 1975, and husband of Dorothy Louise (Peterson) formerly of
Falun, Kansas. He served as Bishop and secretary of the Kansas and Adjacent States Lutheran Synod, and
for nearly eighteen years was a member and then moderator of the popular religious WIBW-TV show,
"Your Question Please."
2
Ruth (Martin) Tonsing was bora in Atchison, Kansas, May 30, 1873, and died March 20, 1967, having
lived for most of her life in the same house in which she was bora. There she raised eight children.
Rebecca Chaky and Ruth Martin, Ruth Martin Family Tree 1995. Brown. Challiss. Earhart, Harres.
Martin. Melenbruch. Milbank. Tonsing. Walker (Friendswood, Texas: Never Done Press, 1995), pp. 92
ff.
3
William L. Challiss (born Emilytown, New Jersey, November 27, 1826, died Toledo, Ohio, April 23,
1909), the Atchison Globe. April 24, 1909.
4
Ida (Challiss) Martin (born Morristown, New Jersey, May 25, 1851, died Atchison, Kansas, November
2, 1932). Chakey and Martin, op. cit., pp. 92 ff.
5
Mrs. W. L. (Mary Ann Harres) Challis, Story of the First Baptist Church of Atchison. Kansas. 1857-
1897 (Atchison, Kansas: The Home Printing Company, 1897).
6
Start's Academy in Atchison was formerly located at 11* and Santa Fe Streets. "Recollections of Early
Days as Recalled By Mrs. John A Martin, Widow of Ex-Governor," the Atchison Globe. December 8,
1927.
7
Ibid
8
Ibid.
9
Recollections of Dr. Ernst F. (Fred) Tonsing, Professor of Religion and Greek, California Lutheran
University, Thousand Oaks, California. Many of these and the following comments were contained in a
"Biography of Ida (Challiss) Martin," by Dr. Tonsing, written at the request of Mrs. Ramona Carlin, wife
of Governor John Carlin, Executive Mansion, Cedercrest, Topeka, Kansas, in December, 1979, to
document the oil portrait of Ida Martin which hung in the entrance hall of the mansion.
10
John Alexander Martin (born Brownsville, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1839, died Atchison, Kansas,
October 2, 1889). Chakey and Martin, op. cit., p. 51.
11
William E. Connelley, Secretary, History of Kansas Newspapers. Kansas State Historical Society and
Department of Archives (Topeka, Kansas: Kansas State Printing Plant, 1916), pp. 33, 35.
12
Several "societies" existed in the First Baptist Church in Atchison. Which of these is the one
mentioned in the book is unclear. It may have been The Ladies Sewing Society. This society was formed
to help in the "temporal wants of the church," but grew to become an important group within the
congregation. Challiss, Story, op. cit., pp. 94 ff. The Woman's Missionary Society is also possible, for in
1890 Ida Martin became its president. Ibid., pp. 105-7.
13
Maria Grace Harres (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1797, died Atchison, Kansas,
September 17, 1896). Chaky and Martin, op. cit., p. 13.
14
Mary Ann (Harres) Challiss (born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1830, died Toledo, Ohio, April
30, 1909). Ibid., p. 15.
15
See note no. 3.
16
Bertha (Challiss) Rogers/Liepsner (born Moorestown, New Jersey, January 31, 1853, died Los Angeles,
California, May 24, 1938). (A second sister, Katie Challiss, born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 25,
1855, died July 23, 1856, less than a year old). Chaky and Martin, op. cit, p. 28.
17
Paul Challiss (born Atchison, Kansas, April 6, 1860, died Atchison, Kansas, January 25, 1927 or 1928).
Ibid., p. 29.
18
Maria (Challiss) Donald (born Atchison, Kansas, 1861, died Los Angeles, California, December 24,
1932). Ibid, p. 31.
19
Blanche (Challiss) Dekker (born Atchison, Kansas, March 26, 1862 or 1863, died 1952). Ibid., p. 32.
20
Dora (Challiss) Bennett (born Atchison, Kansas, 1865, died in California, November 26, 1957). Ibid.,
p. 36.
21
Daisy (Challiss) Faust (born Atchison, Kansas, 1867, died New York, 1903?). Ibid., p. 36.
22
Amelia (Challiss) Dekker (born Atchison, Kansas, February 28, 1869, died Adrian, Michigan (?),
October 21, 1937). Ibid., p. 37.
23
James Milbank Challiss (born Atchison, Kansas, November 20, 1870, died Atchison, Kansas, December
6 or 7, 1937). Ibid., pp. 37-8.
24
Ralph H. Challiss (born Atchison, Kansas, April 2, 1875, died Toledo, Ohio, August 22, 1924). Ibid.,
p. 41.
25
See note no. 2.
26
Grace (Martin) Mauck (born Atchison, Kansas, September 9, 1874, died Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
August 19, 1962). Chaky and Martin, op. cit., p. 55.
27
Faith (Martin) Settle (born Atchison, Kansas, May 20, 1885, died Houston, Texas, September 23,
1962). Ibid
28
Paul Alexander Martin (born Atchison, Kansas, May 18, 1886, died Lansing, Michigan, December 13,
1964). Ibid, p. 57.
29
Ethel (Martin) Hole (born Atchison, Kansas, 188_?, died September 16, 1940). Ibid., p. 58.
30
Evan C. (John Alexander) Martin (born Atchison, Kansas, 1880, died Leavenworth, Kansas, 1892).
Ibid
31
Harres Martin (born Atchison, Kansas, September 25, 1887, died Houston, Texas, May 27, 1972). Ibid.
32
Anna Isabel (Martin) Smith (born Brownsville, Pennsylvania, April 22, 1841, died Atchison, Kansas,
May 31, 1922). Ibid, p. 61.
33
"Recollections," Atchison Globe. December 8, 1927.
34
The dress was presented to Ida Martin by the superintendent of the State Silk Station at Peabody,
Kansas, Mr. I. Horner, and was given by the Rev. Ernest Tonsing to the Kansas State Historical Society,
Topeka, Kansas.
35
Jennie Small Owen, annalist, and Kirke Mechem, editor, The Annals of Kansas 1886-1925. vol. One
(Topeka, Kansas: Kansas State Historical Society, 1954), p. 31.
36
The Rev. Ernest F. Tonsing, personal communication. Evidence of Ida Martin's commitment to
women's suffrage comes in the effort she made just two weeks before her death to register to vote in an
upcoming election. Her son-in-law, the Rev. Paul Tonsing, wheeled her to the city hall at her insistence.
Her obituaries note her keen interest in reading and in national issues, especially prohibition. The
Atchison Globe. November 2, 1932.
37
Wife of the Rev. J. B. Mulford pastor of First Baptist Church. Challiss, Story, op. cit., p. 62.
38
Wife of Senator John J. Ingalls, Republican senator from Kansas 1873-91. Chakey and Martin, op. cit.,
p. 38.
39
See note 11.
40
Emma (Challiss) Probasco (born Bustleton, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1839, died Atchison, Kansas,
May 24, 1894), youngest child and only daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. James Milbank Challis, had a
daughter named Sara (born Eastern Talbot County, Maryland March 10, 1861, died Alton, Kansas,
 March 18, 1930), whose daughter was named Sallie (born November 2, 1894, too late to be entered into
this diary). Chaky and Martin, op. cit., p. 44. Perhaps her mother Sara was nick-named "Sallie."
41
Mrs. Alderson was the wife of the first pastor. Lewis A. Alderson, of First Baptist Church, Atchison.
Challiss, Story, op. cit., p. 17. These two became close friends of the Challiss and Martin families (ibid.,
p. 25). She was widowed a decade before the diary was written, but continued greatly active in the church
in various capacities (ibid., pp. 52 ff, 105 ff.).
42
"Sister" L. Andrews is listed as a member of the Society of the church. Ibid., p. 94.
43
Mrs. Laries is also a member of the church (see entry for January 31).
44
Maj. Perm, apparently, was an evangelist who was to hold rallies at the church. The diary notes that he
arrived February 17th.
45
Belle Murphy is probably "Sister" J. R. Murphy. Challiss, Story, op. cit., p. 109.
46
Eleanor (Ellen) (Martin) Mills (born Brownsville, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1847, died Kansas City,
Missouri, February 27, 1910), was a sister of Ida Martin's husband, the daughter of James C. and Jane
Montgomery (Crawford) Martin. Chaky and Martin, op. cit., pp. 51, 62.
47
A "Sister" Clark is mentioned as a member of the Society, but not Mrs. Collett. Challiss, Story, op. cit.,
p. 108.
48
Imma was Imogene (Bennett) Challiss (born in Illinois, August, 1839, died San Antonio.Texas, 1927),
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bennett of Atchison, Kansas, who married George T. Challiss (born
183?, died 1894). George Challiss opened a grocery store in 1854, the first to operate in the Atchison
townsite. It was located at the foot of Commercial Street at the point where freight and passengers were
brought off of the ferry and the steamers. Chaky and Martin, op. cit., pp. 41-2.
49
Lillie Bailey is listed as a member of the Woman's Missionary Society. Challiss, Story, op. cit., p. 108.
50
Mary Guthrie, wife of General W. W. Guthrie, was a member of the church and was noted for her
generosity. Ibid., pp. 86, 107, 111.
51
Catherine Cochrane was another active member of First Baptist Church. Ibid., pp. 89, 108, 109. A
charming story about the mother of Ida Martin, Mary Ann Challiss, and Catherine Cochrane concerns the
leaking baptistry. Continually, hogsheads of water had to be hauled to the church to fill it. When a
deacon expressed his impatience that the ten dollars needed to repair the leak could not be raised, the two
women consulted with each other, and then resolved to donate the money which they would have used to
purchase new bonnets. They overheard the remark, "what do sisters C— and C— wear their last winter's
bonnets for?" One replied, "the new ones are in the Baptistry." Ibid., pp. 58-9.
52
"Jud" is probably Adroniram Judson Haskins, long a friend of the Challiss family, as identified in Mary
A. Challiss and her Ten Children, Woodlawn. typewritten, 1904, pp. 67, 68, 119, 140, 154-5.
53
Prentis? (See SUN. 20.). A Mr. Noble Prentis is mentioned as a jovial visitor to the Challiss summer
house at Woodlawn. Ibid., pp. 88-9. This is, perhaps, the Noble L. Prentis, who, with Caroline E. Prentis
wrote and published the popular textbook for Kansas school children, A History of Kansas. Topeka,
Kansas: Copyright 1899 by Noble L. Prentis, Kansas City, Missouri. Revised Edition published by
Caroline E. Prentis, 1904.
54
Mrs. Grace Hetherington was the wife of William Alfred Otis, and thus was the sister-in-law of Amelia
(Amy) (Otis) Earhart, mother of Amelia Mary (Earhart) Putnam, the aviatrix, and Muriel Grace
(Earhart) Morrissey, and also arelativeby marriage to Ida Martin. Chaky and Martin, op. cit., p. 16.