BIO:  Hon. William A. MARTIN, Menallen Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 476

HON. WILLIAM A. MARTIN, P.O. Arendtsville, an extensive lumberman of Menallen 
Township, was born in Franklin Township, this county, August 17, 1842, a son of 
William B. and Elizabeth (Logan) Martin.  He was reared on the farm, and at the 
same time received the benefits of a good education.  At the age of twenty he 
learned the ambrotyping business, which he followed for two years in various 
places, and since then has been engaged in lumbering, charcoaling and farming, 
and now owns some 500 or 600 acres of land.  Politically he is a Democrat, and 
was nominated, out of thirteen candidates, in 1877, and elected by over 400 
majority a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  In 1880 he was 
appointed enumerator for taking the United States census for Menallen Township, 
and at the building of the railroad through Menallen took a prominent and active 
part in obtaining subscriptions for its stock, and raised over $5,000 of it in 
Harrisburg.  He also secured the right of way for the whole length of the line 
and probably to his labor and energy, as much as anything, may be attributed its 
prompt completion.  He was the inspector of all the first ties used in its 
construction, and subscribed two shares of stock.  He married, in 1870, in 
Menallen Township, Miss Mary, daughter of Henry Beamer, and to this union seven 
children were born, six now living:  Harry Boyd, Minnie Alverta, Dora Alice, 
Elsie Natalie, Paul A. and Mary Matilda.  Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the 
Lutheran Church at Arendstville.  The house occupied by Mr. Martin was built by 
a Mr. Kelsey 119 years ago, and occupied by Mr. Martin’s great-grandfather, 
William Boyd, about 100 years ago.  His grandfather’s deed was recorded in 1780, 
the fees charged being £9 6d. The great-grandfather Boyd paid £3,000 for the 
tract of 1,300 acres.  June 14, 1886, Mr. Martin was nominated for joint senator 
for Adams and Cumberland Counties by the Democratic party, and, when elected, 
will serve with honor to himself and constituents.