Mangum in Greer County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
James Franklin Kromer
⎯⎯⎯
Francis Marion Martin
Photographed by James Hulse, October 28, 2025
1. James Franklin Kromer / Francis Marion Martin Marker
Born Oct. 26, 1896, Grimes Co. Texas. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Sherman Kromer at the age of 4, came to Greer Co. on a wagontrain. His father, Sherman, was the guide and wagonmaster of this caravan. Married Edith Florence Skaggs at Vinson Apr. 23, 1916. Their children, Irene, J.W., Willene, Kenneth and Gaye, all graduated from Vinson High School. His childhood and 61 years of marriage was spent within one mile of the homestead. Jim was one of the early cattle buyers of this area, marketing cattle by cattle drives, railroad and truck. Rodeo was a favorite sport winning many local calf roping titles. Farmed & ranched. He was an active member of the Church of Christ, Okla. Cattlemen Association, promoter R.E.A. and member of the board of directors 14 years at the time of his death. Was a member of the Rural Reed Water Corp. He died May 4, 1977.
Reverse Side
Francis Marion Martin
Born July 28, 1846, to Calvin Martin and Elizabeth Samples in Ittawamba County, Mississippi. Joined the Confederate Army at seventeen, was captured in the Battle of Lookout Mt. Tenn. married Mary Jane Bailey and they had eleven children. They moved to Dalles County, Texas then to Greer County in 1898 where he farmed a 160 acre homestead 10 miles north of Mangum. He donated land for the Prosperity School and hauled freight between Mangum and the railroad at Quanah, Texas. Because of poor health, he sold his farm and returned to Texas in 1905 where he died Mar. 8, 1923.
Erected by Old Greer County Museum & Hall of Fame Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1916.
Location. 34° 52.407′ N, 99° 30.426′ W. Marker is in Mangum, Oklahoma, in Greer County. It is at the intersection of West Jefferson Street
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe, in the Comanche Nation, and in Southwest Oklahoma. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Comancherνa, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Dust Bowl, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alice Florence Sheriff / Andrew M. Stewart (here, next to this marker); Hugh Patrick Vaughan / Dora Alma Radney (here, next to this marker); William Rush Vaughan / Edgar Lee Vaughan (here, next to this marker); Daniel Mackay Trench / Fredie Lee Crowley (here, next to this marker); Caledonia Armstrong Trench / Marion Ernest Copelin
Photographed by James Hulse, October 28, 2025
2. James Franklin Kromer / Francis Marion Martin Marker - Reverse Side
Photographed by James Hulse, October 28, 2025
3. The marker is the fifth front marker from the right side
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 20, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
