Originally published to facebook.com/NorthPlattePL on February 11, 2022.

This week’s Friday Facebook History is a two-parter! This week (Part 1), we will look at an enterprising businessman, Fred Marti and next week, the post will focus on the Northwestern Telephone building. The connection? Well, Fred owned most of the block that the Telephone building sits on and also lived in a house in that 100 block of West 4th Street. Enjoy!

According to “The History of Lincoln County, volume 2” by Ira Bare: Fred Marti was born on May 12, 1866 in Fort Omaha, Nebraska to Frederick and Elizabeth (Brotherman) Marti. His parents were native to Switzerland. When his parents came to America, they first located in Ohio, then moved to Omaha. His father was a carpenter for a number of years in Omaha and died in that city.

Fred learned the baking trade while acquiring his education in Omaha. He first moved to North Platte in 1882 and operated Enterprise Bakery until 1907. Note: he offered five cent tokens when he operated his bakery! <see photograph>

On October 18, 1890, Fred married Carrie Elizabeth Peniston at the Episcopal Church in North Platte, Nebraska. Her father was Judge W.S. Peniston, a prominent figure in the pioneer times of Lincoln County. He served as county judge and was also in the Land Office at North Platte. They had five children together:

1. Carrie Elizabeth Marti (1896-1973). Carrie married William Rittenhouse and lived in Chadron, Nebraska.
2. Fred Dewey Marti (1897-1962). Fred stayed in his father’s employment at the Family Meat Market.
3. Paul Oakley Marti (1901-1989). Paul served as a United States soldier in Company E, 47th Regiment, Fourth Division, Third Army during World War I. He was honorably discharged August 7th 1919.
4. Florence Marjorie (1909-1984). “Marjorie” moved to Rapid City South Dakota after graduation from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Sidney, Nebraska. She became a telephone operator and was transferred to Scottsbluff, Nebraska. There, she met her husband, Marion Weston Johnson. They were married in 1932 and remained in the Scottsbluff area.
5. Hazel Mildred (1911- unknown). Hazel married Raymond George Ridgeway in North Platte in 1930.

In 1907, Fred sells the Enterprise Bakery and teams up with Henry Schrieber to open “City Meat Market”. When this partnership dissolves in 1908, Fred continues to own and operate his own butcher shop.

In June of 1916, Fred’s wife, Carrie passed away from leakage in her heart. She had suffered for several years with this heart condition. She was 44 years old.

In 1928, Fred sells his property at 121-123 West 4th Street to the Northwestern Telephone Company.

Fred Marti’s Meat Market continues operating at 513 Dewey until approximately 1934, when Fred retires.

On November 10, 1939, Fred Marti passes away in a local hospital following several days of illness. He is buried with his wife Carrie in the North Platte Cemetery.

Please join us next week as we explore the history of the Northwestern Telephone Building!