Who is Uncle Mack?

In the bottom of my Grandfather's trunk was a collection of pictures, mostly without names or dates. It has been fun to try to locate and identify the people in these photos. Two of my favorites were without dates but with hand written notes, "Uncle Mack Martin".

I don't remember hearing the name Uncle Mack so began to try to find out what I could about this stylish gentleman. He has his bow in hand and looks like he's ready for the next barn raising or a country dance.

The early Martin family came from Barron County, KY. to Missouri in 1860. My grandfather's grandfather, James Martin was born in June 22, 1824 and with his wife Martha raised 7 children, the first three born in Kentucky and four additional children born in Missouri. One of the four born in Missouri was Joseph M. Martin, born in 1859, the father of Albert, my grandfather.

From the 1850 Schedule of Free Inhabitants in the Division in the County of Barron, State of Kentucky lists James Martin and his family. Living nearby with the family of a blacksmith was a Malakiah Martin, perhaps an apprentice. The notation for occupation after his name lists "N2Smith." I didn't find a Malakiah again for several years of census.

According to the census of 1910 of Hickory Co. Missouri, living near the Joseph Martin property in Missouri was Samuel Martin and his family. Samuel was Joseph's older brother, born in 1852 in Kentucky. According to the census of 1910, a Meliciah F. Martin was listed as age 81, estimated birth year of 1828, living with Samuel and was listed as an uncle to Samuel.

I am assuming that "Uncle Mack" was a brother to James and I believe Mack was a nickname for Malakiah. Census takers not always got names spelled correctly nor dates recorded correctly. Therefore either "Malakiah, or Meliciah" could be correct or neither could be correct.

This Uncle Mack had similar facial features to Grandpa. So I'll call him Uncle Mack, too.