BIO: Robert M. MARTIN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 290. __________________________________________________________________ ROBERT M. MARTIN, East Broad Top, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born April 2, 1855, in Tod township, son of Michael J. and Catherine (Weasman) Martin. Michael J. Martin was a native of Bavaria, Germany, a man of excellent education, who learned book binding in his native land. He came to this country in a sailing vessel, landed at Baltimore, August 25, 1858, and from that city went to Hagerstown, Md. From Hagerstown Mr. Martin went to Huntingdon county, where he met his brother, Joseph S., who was a tanner, and with whom he worked in the tannery. He took up and bought about 4,000 acres of land, a part of which he cleared, and embarked in stock raising. During the war of the Rebellion, he made money by butchering. Mr. Martin also bought 1,200 acres of land in Nebraska; he was an industrious and successful worker all his life. His politics were Democratic. He was a member of the Catholic church. Michael J. Martin was married December 16, 1847, in Tod township, by Isaac Cook, J. P., to Catherine Weasman, also a native of Bavaria, Germany, born January 25, 1830, who came to this country November 13, 1847. Their children are: John, of Central City, Neb.; Mary (Mrs. R. Maher), of Bedford county, Pa.; Anthony, of Thayer county, Neb.; Mina (Mrs. H. Mears), of Portage, Cambria county, Pa.; Robert M.; Susan (Mrs. Albert Scott), of Oberlin, Kas.; Valentine, of Colorado; Josephine, in the convent at East Columbus, Ohio; Joseph, partner of Robert M.; Charles J., farmer, of Kansas; Michael J., died young; and William A., of Oberlin, Kas. Michael J. Martin died on the homestead, March 11, 1886; his wife, whose age is about sixty-four, survives him. Robert M. Martin attended the common schools of Tod township and the select school at Chestnut Grove, Lancaster county, Pa. His course of studies being ended, he first worked four years in the tannery, on wages, and then engaged in farming and in the bark business, in which he has been very successful. He has also done well as a stock raiser, breeding fine horses and cattle. He has for several years carried on a butchering business. In 1895, Mr. Martin, in partnership with his brother, Joseph, embarked in the lumber business. In 1893 he made a contract with the Cresson Pipe Line Company, of Pittsburg, Pa., which yielded him fair profits. Mr. Martin owns 4,000 acres of land in Huntingdon county, of which he cultivates over 200 acres; also a farm in Kansas, of 1,610 acres. He is full of enterprise, with business qualities which enable him to carry on at once, and with ease and success, a variety of different undertakings. His politics are Democratic. He has been elected to various township offices; has been inspector of elections; constable for four years; and assessor for one year. Robert H. Martin was married in Tod township, January 22, 1896, to Rebecca, daughter of Abraham Harshey, of Fulton county; Mrs. Martin is a native of Huntingdon county. Mr. Martin is a member of the Catholic church. They have one child, Paul Joseph, born June 11, 1896.