Alonzo Martin May (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from Illustriana Kansas, pages 745 and 747

Alonzo Martin May, son of James Martin and Lorraine Lucinda (Thomas) May, was born on a farm in Linn County, Kanss, August 5, 1891.  His father a captain in the 71st Illinois Volunteers, during the Civil War, was born at Kirksville, Missouri, January 4, 1841.

He was a roadmaster for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, whose death occurred at Coffeyville, February 21, 1928.  His wife, Lorraine, was born in Litchfield, Illinois, March 28, 1841, and died at Longton, May 20, 1932.  She was an accomplished linguist, speaking five languages, and was talented musically.

Mr. May attended public school and high school, and since 1912 has been agent for the Santa Fe, and railway express agent at Longton.  He is a Republican, a member of Division No. 61 of the Order of Railway Telegraphers, a member of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce (agricultural committee 1931-32). the Longton Chamber of Commerce, the Longton Booster Club of which he was president 1930-31; the Longton school board (1928- ), and is city councilman.

During the World War he held the ranks of second and first lieutenant, 77th Signal Corps, 33rd Division, having fourteen months service in France.  He is a member of Carter-Rader Badger Post No. 149 of the American Legion, is a member of the Rebekahs. the Order of Eastern Star (worthy patron five times), the Odd Fellows (past noble grand), and the Masons (master Longton Lodge No. 26, 1930, district deputy grand master 1931-32)

On October 1, 1911, he was married to Elizabeth Amanda Williams at Amsterdam, Missouri.  She was born at Greencastle, Missouri, October 1, 1893. There were four children, Juanita, born October 9, 1912;  Alonzo, February 21, 1914; Vernon, October 17, 1917; and Inez, February 6, 1920.  Alonzo, who has had three years at the Citizens Military Training Camp at  Fort Leavenworth, is in his first year in medicine at Coffeyville.

Residence: Longton.