Fun Family Stories!

My beginning page / Mom's List / Martin / Campbell / Kassell / Pufalt / Grunwald

William Marvin Martin / City Directories / Census Page

Turning everyday events into family tales is the stuff that memories are made of.  Bill Martin, my grandfather, died before I was born, but the stories of his life paint an image of a rather colorful character.

Charles Malcolm Kassell, a second cousin of my grandfather, was recently rediscovered living in Colorado.  Just like many families that don't keep in touch as the elder members pass - mine has been no different.  However, I have found several "lost relatives" who moved on to greener pastures and regularly pester them for stories, memories and photos.  

This story about my grandfather is from Malcolm.  Bill Martin lived in Pontoon Beach, (Madison County) Illinois just outside of Granite City.  His home was on Pontoon Road a busy street through town.  This would have been in the 1940's and 50's.  

"... a motorcycle policeman was using Bill Martin's front yard as cover while stalking speeders.  Bill told him to move. The policeman moved down the street and hid behind a billboard.  So, Bill put up a sign in his yard warning the drivers that a policeman was hiding behind the next billboard."

Bill was an electrician and did photography on the side and often used his kids as "models" to test new film or lighting.  We have many photos of my mother and her two brothers during these years that are just super.  Thanks for the memories, grandpa.

Childhood Photos of Bill Martin in E. St. Louis, IL and St. Louis, MO
More photos can be found on the photolist and the family group page.