Farmer, cattle rancher, and longshoreman. Martin was a ranch foreman in Matagorda County, Texas and a oilfield worker in Southeast Texas including early fields such as Sour Lake and (reportedly) Spindletop. Long Reach Docks is located on the Houston Ship Channel as part of the Port of Houston.

Married Dessie Freeman on March 20, 1905 in Jefferson County, TX


From the Houston Post, Sunday, February 26, 1956:

Martin Van Buren Gatlin, 80, was a gang foreman in the International Longshoreman's Association until four years ago when he was injured while at work on a ship at Long Reach docks. The injuries required a leg amputation and he had since gone about on crutches. Although he retired from his longtime duties as a longshoreman, "Pop" Gatlin, as he was affectionately known, didn't let his affliction hamper him. He liked nothing better than going to the old homestead at Devers in Liberty County and fishing with his sons or checking on the livestock.

Last April, Mr. Gatlin had a heart attack and had been in ill health since. He died yesterday in a Houston hospital. He had been a longshoreman since coming to Houston in 1923 and his six sons chose the same work. He was a member of Local 1273.

Mr. Gatlin was a native of Lampasas and was named for the eighth president of the United States. Before coming here, he was a ranch foreman, oilfield worker and farmer. He and his wife were married fifty years. Last year, on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary, more than 200 persons called at their home, 7418 Dallas Avenue, to congratulate them. Mrs. Gatlin is the former Dora Odessa Freeman of Devers.

The Rev. James Draper was to officiate in services today at 2 p.m. in Boulevard Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was to be in Forest Park Cemetery.

Survivors besides the widow include his sons, C. H., J. C., A. M., F. R., J. A. and L. D. Gatlin, all of Houston; daughters Mrs. H. J. McKenzie of Tyler; Mrs. B. W. Francis, Mrs. G. L. Hellegeist, Mrs. Kelly Arnett, all of Houston; Mrs. R. C. Hayes, Glendale, Ore.; brothers, John Gatlin of Sour Lake; H. C. Gatlin of Beaumont; 20 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, Steve Craig Francis, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Francis Jr. of Lawton, Oklahoma.