The Martyn family lived in Portland, Oregon, during the early years of Marguerite's life, and her father, a Virginian, died there at the age of 30 while employed as a St. Louis–San Francisco Railway superintendent.

"[3][6] The earliest work which carried her byline was a drawing of spectators and models at a St. Louis convention of the National Dressmakers' Association in September 1905, Martyn being the only artist admitted.

Friend, were unsuccessfully sued by Samuel Kessler, a "rich furrier" who owned their apartment building at 8A North Sarah Street, which they vacated without notice because the heat in their unit was not working.

Kessler lost the case when Justice "Marty" Moore, who was himself a steamfitter at one time, queried the building janitor and found that the man had neither the proper engineering license nor the knowledge to substantiate the landlord's claim.

[8] In Martyn's obituary, the Post-Dispatch said that she: "did a great variety of articles, mostly about individuals, but in some cases descriptive of public events, such as national political conventions, the Kentucky Derby race or World Series ball games."

[10][11] Clair Kenamore, an editor on the Post-Dispatch, and Martyn were married in the latter's home at Lake and Bompart avenues in Webster Groves, Missouri, on May 17, 1913.