Martin (V. Covert) Family Papers, 1918-1966

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Summary

Title:
V. Covert Martin Family Papers
Dates:
1918-1966
Creators:
Martin, Van Covert, 1885-1962
Abstract:
Extent:
17.5 linear ft.
Language:
Preferred citation:

V. Covert Martin Family Papers. University of the Pacific

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains Martin’s preparatory notes to a pictorial history of Stockton, Stockton Album—Through the Years (1959). The collection also contains personal correspondence, account books, day books, financial records, research notes, and photographs. Martin took many aerial photographs of Stockton and the surrounding area during his commercial career. His photograph collection was given to the University of the Pacific by R. Coke Wood in 1967 and serves as the core collection in Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections’ Photograph Collections. The collection also includes personal correspondence and family papers of Martin’s mother, Josephine Amanda Tam Martin Stewart (1847-1929), a seamstress, who was the daughter of early settlers near Stockton. Of interest are records of John Thomas Tam (1860-1896), an actor and necromancer with the Pawnee Medicine Company. There are also many papers regarding Martin’s real estate holdings and the development of the “Miracle Mile” shopping district.

Biographical / historical:

<p> Asa Van Covert Martin, Stockton photographer and photo historian, was descended from early San Joaquin County pioneers. He was born on July 7, 1885 to David J. Martin and Josephine Amanda Martin. </p> <p> Covert Martin's mother, Mrs. Josephine Amanda (Tam) Martin, was the eldest daughter of Joseph Harris Tam and Sarah Hamilton Glassford Tam. Joseph Harris Tam was the son of early Dutch settlers of Manhatten Island. He was an educated man, having graduated from Kendree College in Belleville, Ill. For ten years he was principal of an academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tams were married in 1846. Josephine Amanda Tam was born October 30, 1847. She had six siblings: Amanda Montana Tam (nicknamed Rocky), born in a stagecoach July 10, 1849; Almira Julia Tam born April 16, 1851; James Glassford Henry Tam, born July 22, 1853 (died at age 7); Augusta Emma Tam (Gussie), born July 24, 1856; Joseph Hamilton Tam, born April 8, 1858 (practiced law and was police judge, died 1898); and John Thomas Tam, born March 13, 1860. </p> <p> Joseph and Sarah Tam came to California in 1849 from Missouri. They settled in San Joaquin County in 1850 between Stockton and Wood's Ferry. He was a grain farmer. For a time he went into a copper mining venture, but was not successful. He found supplying goods to the mining communities was profitable. In 1860 he moved his family to Stockton and in the same year sold his place to Fred Copsey. The Tam family lived for a short time in Sonoma and in Marysville, but returned to Stockton because of Mrs. Tam's health. Mr. Tam died in Visalia on Sept. 8, 1865. Mrs. Tam died June 30, 1891. </p> <p> John Thomas Tam took to the stage and was known by the name "Ravella". He demonstrated "American, Egyptian and Japanese acts as Juggler, Necromancer, Salamanderer and First Class Entertainer". He claimed his deceased father sent a message from beyond the grave to his sister through him, and wrote an account of the message. John died in 1898. </p> <p> Mr. D.J. Martin of Glasgow Scotland, came to California via the Isthmus of Panama in 1854, settled in the area of Vernalis, and entered the sheep and cattle business. Covert Martin's notes state that D. J. Martin had been Justice of the Peace in Corral Hollow in 187l, and that he had a ferry near San Joaquin City on the San Joaquin River. When the price for mutton and wool dropped, he sold the sheep at a loss and gave up his land for lack of a buyer. He later became a hospital attendant at the State Hospital. D.J. Martin was a member of the Odd Fellows. He died on Dec. 14, 1902 at the age of 68. </p> <p> David and Josephine Martin were married on Oct. 19, 1869. They had five children: David Stuart Martin, 8/21/1870; Helen Augusta Martin, January 8, 1872, later married William H. Tuttle; Arthur T. Martin; Corriene Josephine (Cora), later married Cordy Joseph St. Louis; and Asa Van Covert Martin, the youngest, born in a "wooden clapboard house on Main and Grant streets" in Stockton. Covert was named for the sons of Judge John and Mrs. Francis Covert, a pioneering family owning ranch land in Salida (Stanislaus County) who were long time friends of Mrs. Martin. </p> <p> After being widowed by D. J. Martin, Mrs. Martin continued making a living as a seamstress and later married Solomon S. Stewart, a rancher. Stewart had come to California in 1864 and settled near Lockeford. He died in 1912 and she remained a widow until her death in 1929. In her later years she rented rooms in her home. She was a member of the Lodge of Rebekah and the Pioneers of San Joaquin County. </p> <p> At age eleven, Covert Martin learned to draw from Ralph Yardley, notable Stockton artist known for his cartoons in the Stockton Record. Martin paid 50 cents for each lesson. Martin at one time expressed some inclinations towards going on the stage, but his creativity turned took a turn towards photography and later some writing. </p> <p> V. Covert Martin began his career in photography in 1899, while a young teenager in Nevada City, where he was living with his sister at the time and attending school there. He is quoted as saying he was paid $1.00 a week for his work as a photographer's apprentice. Martin reminisced in a letter dated Oct. 30, 1946 to Elmer Stevens "... an incident that happened in Nevada City about 1898. My brother-in-law had me make a bon-fire of 2 large boxes of old photographs." He goes on to say that most of them were taken in the 1860's and 1870's. There is nothing to document with whom Martin worked in Nevada City, but it is the writer's supposition that he worked for Moore, who had studios in Grass Valley and Nevada City around the turn of the Century. Another possibility is that his brother-in-law William H. Tuttle was related to the traveling photographer, William Nutting Tuttle, and that he worked with him. </p> <p> Covert Martin returned to Stockton to work for Charles W. Logan from 1901 to 1906. Martin worked for Wells Fargo Express Company in 1906, for seven months, but soon returned to his former job with Logan. After working for Logan for many years Covert Martin took over the management of the Logan Studio and then in 1915 went into business for himself. He had said he wanted to start his own business when he had saved up two hundred and fifty dollars. </p> <p> Martin took news photographs for the Stockton Record until 1923 when his commercial business grew so demanding he had to give up the Record assignments. In 1918 a fire in the W. P. Fuller Paint Company destroyed his place of business and everything but his cameras, lenses, and books. In 1922 his business survived another fire. In 1938 he built a new building to house his studio on Pacific Avenue where it remained until his retirement after 30 years in business for himself. He was obliged to retire for medical reasons in 1945. </p> <p> During his career, he was an avid collector of photographs. From. Mr. J. A. Sanford, Mr. Francis Cutting, and Mr. L. Steiny, he obtained many old glass plates. He copied many early photographs by Rolofson, Stuart, John Pitcher Spooner, Charles W. Logan, and others - compiling a collection of nearly 2,000 historic Stockton and San Joaquin County photographs. He bought, sold, borrowed, and loaned photographs. He copied and standardized them as to size. He photographed many historical documents and maps. During his commercial career he took many aerial photographs of the area. </p> <p> Martin married Adeline Bazzo on March 18, 1910. They had no children but were devoted to their nephews and nieces with whom they kept in contact through correspondence [* see note] over the years. * Note - The majority of Covert and Adeline Martin's personal correspondence is from family members, including Covert's brother David and sister Cora, Adeline's sister Stella, and their niece Helen and nephew Arthur Jr. (Bud). Although there is some World War I correspondence, World War II letters are far more extensive, especially from Arthur Martin Jr. as he worked his way up from Private to Master Sargeant (1941-1944). </p> <p> Covert Martin was known as a sociable person. It was reported that during a party with friends, he took photographs of the guests then slipped away, developed, and printed the photographs and returned to give them out before the party ended. </p> <p> Covert Martin was an active member in the community. He always showed great interest in the fire department, and had been a volunteer. He was a member of the Morning Star Lodge of Masons and Scottish Rite Bodies, a president of the State Photographers Association, Board of Directors of the Pioneer Museum and Haggin Art Gallery, and active with the Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the founding members of the Conference of California Historical Societies and the California History Foundation, associated with the University of the Pacific. He received awards from the Stockton Elementary Administrators Association in recognition of his services to education. He was an enthusiastic public speaker, giving talks to groups about photography and about early Stockton history. </p> <p> In 1945 Covert Martin began working on the book Stockton Album Through the Years, a pictorial history of Stockton. Some of the information he published was gleaned from clippings and scrapbooks his mother had saved from the mid nineteenth century. The book was published in 1959, fulfilling a 34 year dream of Martin's. </p> <p> Over the years in Stockton, Covert Martin invested in local real estate. Covert and Adeline Martin incorporated their real estate holdings under the name Nitram Properties. Martin also invested in a Service Station at the corner of Wilson and Harding Way. It was leased to Gus Marengo and Everett Lewis. </p> <p> In 1962 Covert Martin died on his way home from visiting some friends. Martin attributed his life-long interest in the History of Stockton to the stories he heard from San Joaquin County Pioneer Society members, of which his mother was a member. Stockton and the San Joaquin County are indebted to him for preserving their visual historical records. </p>

Acquisition information:
His collection of notes for his book were acquired by The University of the Pacific in 1964. His photograph collection and other papers were given to the University by R. Coke Wood in 1967. Martin had given them to Wood in gratitude for his writing Stockton Album Through the Years. Additional material (MS 9B) was obtained via purchase in 1991 and again in 1994 from John B. Williams.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by University of the Pacific staff.
Date Prepared:
1918-1966
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Preferred citation:

V. Covert Martin Family Papers. University of the Pacific

Location of this collection:
University of the Pacific, Holt-Atherton Department of Special Collections, University Library
Stockton, CA 95211, US
Contact:
(209) 946-2404
Website