BIO: Martin B. GARMAN, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  MARTIN B. GARMAN.  Leisure, the curse of an undisciplined intellect, 
is to the intelligent and cultured an opportunity for continued 
advancement.  The subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of 
Bellefonte, is one of the favored few who, having a taste for the 
refinements of life, have also the wealth to make their ideals, in some 
measure, realities.
  Mr. Garman is a native of Pennsylvania, having first seen the light 
in the "City of Brotherly Love," September 4, 1875.  His father, the 
late MARTIN GARMAN, was born in Dauphin county, Penn., in 1820, and in 
early manhood went west, engaging, when he was about twenty-one, in the 
management of a trading boat on the Mississippi river.  He continued 
the business for many years, but at the approach of the Civil war his 
trips up and down the stream were interfered with, and life itself 
became unsafe. Suspending his operations, he returned to his native 
State, and after looking about for a suitable business opening 
hedecided to locate in Philadelphia, where he purchased the old "Blue 
Anchor Inn," famous as the hostelry where William Penn first stopped 
when he came to America.  This investment proved extremely profitable, 
a handsome fortune being realized under the wise management of the new 
owner.  Mr. Garman was a member of the Episcopal Church, and in 
politics adhered to Democratic principles.  His death occurred in 1891.  
Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Scott, passed from 
earth in 1879 at the age of thirty.  She was a native of Philadelphia 
and a daughter of William Scott, who was for many years the manager of 
the Asylum for the Blind at that city.  Being blind himself, he 
understood the peculiar difficulties under which his charges labored, 
and had overcome them as to be able to do most artistic work in various 
lines, specimens being now preserved among his relatives as precious 
souvenirs.  He lived to the age of eighty years. Of his three daughters 
- Mrs. William Wood, Mrs. Garman and Mrs. Roach - the eldest and the 
youngest reside in Philadelphia.
  Martin B. Garman was the only child of his parents.  His youth was 
spent in his native city, his education being obtained there.  After 
completing his studies with a course in LaSalle Business College, he 
settled at the beautiful little city of Bellefonte, the ample income 
from his father's estate enabling him to make his home wherever he 
chose, and to secure the books, the companionships, the artistic 
surroundings which were most congenial.  He is a genial host, and his 
residence is a center of social life.  On January 16, 1896, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Grace Lukinbach, a native of Indianapolis, 
Ind., born in November, 1875, who was reared in Bellefonte and 
graduated from the high school there.  Mr. Garman takes keen interest 
in the various questions of the day, and in political faith is a 
Democrat.