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In 1859 Anna married her cousin, Karl Martin, Louis Martin's nephew.
Karl built a store at Hedwig's Hill, the first store west of the Llano River. But Karl was not healthy. He suffered from rheumatism and was an invalid by 1864. Anna worked her fingers to the bone taking care of Karl, running the store, and raising their two sons, Charles and Max.

When Karl died in 1878 the store closed. At age 35, Anna found herself with no husband, no money and no way to make a living. She borrowed $150 from a friend and reopened the store. Fortunately for Anna, Hedwig's Hill was on the San Antonio to El Paso stage route; an important road in this part of Texas. The stage passed through daily, and Anna catered to its passengers. She established a way station and a boarding house. She sold whiskey, guns and groceries. Because Anna's store had an iron safe, and because her honesty was never questioned, she acted as a banker for cattlemen - keeping their hard-earned money in her safe and cashing their checks. That's how she got into the banking business.

By the turn of the 20th Century she owned 50,000 acres in Mason, Llano and Gillespie counties. She strung the first barbed wire in this part of Texas. Then in 1901, with a capital stock of $3000, Anna Martin established The Commercial Bank of Mason. She served as its president for 24 years.

She died in Mason at age 81 in 1925 and is buried in the Martin Family Cemetery in the shadow of Hedwig's Hill.
 

Resources:

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Amazing People from Texas County by County