Martha Ann Gay was the 6th child of twelve of early Lane County settlers Martin Baker Gay and Ann Evans (Stewart) Gay. In 1851 she traveled across the plains from Missouri to Lane County, Oregon with her family. Along the route, Martha Ann kept a diary of the trials, tribulations and joys of the family's adventure. Her youngest sibling was born in a covered wagon in the Nebraska Territory on the family's trek west.

Martha Masterson's Oregon Trail diary was the subject of editor Lois Barton's extremely popular book about the pioneering days of the northwest: "One Woman's West: Recollections of the Oregon Trail and Settling of the Northwest Country." This book has long been required reading for school children who are learning about Oregon history and the pioneers of the west.

On August 27, 1871 in Eugene, Martha Ann Gay married James Alfred Masterson, a widower with 8 children. His first wife was Vilinda Harriet (Campbell) Masterson. J.A. Masterson and Martha Masterson had three children together but John Balf Masterson and Freddie Eugene Masterson died as small children.

After many years of marriage, the Mastersons separated but never divorced. J.A. Masterson died on September 11, 1908 in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho.

Martha Masterson lived her final years with her only surviving child, Frances Hortense Masterson (Mrs. Louis Charles Vitus) near Junction City, Oregon.

~~~

Eugene Daily Guard
Lane County, Oregon
Tuesday, December 12, 1916
Page Three

DIED

MASTERSON - In Eugene, on Tuesday, December 12, 1916, Mrs. M.A. Masterson, aged 79 years.

Mrs. Masterson leaves one daughter, Mrs. Louis Vitus, of Eugene and three brothers: Evans S. Gray [Gay], E.W. Gray [Gay], and L.W. Gray [Gay], all of the Coeur d'Alene mines, Idaho. The remains are at the Gordon and Veatch chapel and funeral arrangements will be announced later.