Martin, Charles (Charley)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:6858#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Charles Martin was born on June 28, 1909 in Randall, Minnesota. His father was of Irish descent, while his mother was of French descent. His mother died in 1922, and he was an only child, so he and his father lived together until he graduated high school in Little Falls in 1927. Martin wanted to attend college to become a teacher in order to earn money, but he instead took a job at a local hotel. When his father agreed to pay for a year of school, Martin went to St. Cloud State to become a teacher. He was so involved in plays and other extracurricular activities that he became sick and had to take a year off from school. When Martin wanted to return, the Depression had begun, making it difficult to afford school. He did return in the fall of 1931, and, with the help of St. Cloud State president George Selke, was able to work directing school plays. In 1932, Martin earned his bachelor's degree in Education, with a major in English. After graduation he was forced to take jobs just to make ends meet until 1933 when he was hired as an English teacher in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. He taught in Sauk Rapids until 1937, when he accepted a position in Little Falls, Minnesota, to teach English and direct plays. Martin retired in 1974. He wrote several poems throughout his lifetime, and received several honors for his work.

Transcript Summary: Martin described his early life and his decision to attend college to become a teacher. Martin shared several anecdotes, including a story about his distant French relatives in France. He also discussed his decision to work before going to college at the Elk's Hotel, and recounted the story of Charles Lindbergh's visit after his historic flight to Paris in 1927. Martin explained his decision to attend St. Cloud State.

Martin discussed his experiences at St. Cloud State. He shared several anecdotes about his time there, including how he met and became friends with St. Cloud State president George Selke, as well as becoming friends with Miss Evelyn Pribble. He also recalled how his devotion to school plays and his job at the Royal Cafe distracted him from his studies and eventually made him sick, forcing him to miss a year of school. Martin mentioned the struggles he had returning to school during a time of such financial hardship. He recounted the story of how he was able to obtain a position directing school plays at the school, which allowed him to stay and receive his bachelor's degree in 1932.

Martin chronicled his post-St. Cloud State life, as well as how terrified he was to student teach. He recalled the difficulty in obtaining work after graduation, but that he eventually found a good position in Sauk Rapids and, later, in Little Falls.