BIO: John MARTIN, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 64-
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    JOHN MARTIN, a young man who has always been engaged in the manufacture of
  bricks, holds the important position of foreman of the Pennsylvania Clay
  Manufacturing Company, of Monaca, Pa., in which capacity he has efficiently
  served since 1897.
    
    This is one of the six large plants controlled by Park Brothers, with
  general offices at Rochester, Pa., and it is one of their best. It is known
  as "No. 4," and is devoted to the manufacture of paving brick exclusively,
  the output being 25,000 finished bricks per day. This yard was established
  many years ago, but did not come into possession of the present firm until
  1895. There are forty acres of clay of a superior quality, and the mine is a
  12 ft. vein sunk through a 72 ft. shaft, the material being conveyed from the
  mines to the works on a train road. It is dumped into a set of rolls and
  crushed, then carried by an automatic elevator into a mill where it is ground
  and mixed for the brick machine. When it comes from the brick machine which
  has a
    
    BEAVER COUNTY  67
    
  capacity of 35,000 per day, it is ready for the dry kilns, a double deck
  affair with a capacity of 100,000 and from there it is taken to the kiln. Of
  these they have ten of the round, down draught variety, each one of them
  holding from 47,000 to 70,000 bricks. Facilities for shipping are of the
  best, being located on the P. & L. E. R. R. The firm have a Columbia engine
  of 125 horse power, and ship all of the product to local, Western,
  Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio markets. Mr. Martin has complete charge of the
  operation of these works, and as he has been engaged in that line of work all
  his life, he conducts them in the most efficient manner. He has 35 men in his
  employ, with whom he is exceedingly popular and they, one and all, accord him
  the greatest respect.
    
    John Martin was born in Clarion county, Pa., July 29, 1869, and attended
  the public schools until he was thirteen years old, when he accepted a
  position in a brick yard. His first engagement was with the Climax Fire Clay
  Company, with which he remained for ten years, learning his trade in the most
  thorough manner. He then moved to Beaver county, and for five years faithfully
  performed similar duties in the employ of Barnes & Company. In 1897, he
  resigned his position to accept that of foreman of the plant he now operates,
  one of the substantial concerns of Monaca. He has taken a deep interest in the
  progress of this little borough, and has made many friends since locating
  there.
    
    On July 4th, 1895, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Lillie Mennall, a
  native of Beaver county, and a daughter of Richard Mennall, and they are the
  parents of two children: William, who was born in 1896; and Melvin, who was
  born in 1898. Mr. Martin has dealt some in real estate, but has now
  discontinued that business; he bought his present residence in 1899. He is a
  member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically, he is a
  sturdy supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Woodmen of
  the World.