Barton Martin was perhaps the most successful of the sons of John Wenger Martin and Elizabeth Bauman, if not one of the more successful Martins of the nineteenth century. His story, and that of his children, is one of the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution in America. Known as B. B. Martin, Barton Bauman Martin was born in East Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to John Wenger Martin (Feb. 8, 1800-July 12, 1872) and his wife Elizabeth Bauman (Nov. 28, 1799-Dec. 11, 1855). Barton was a great grandson of David Martin the Mennonite Immigrant of 1727 who settled in Weaverland, Earl Township, and his wife, Barbara Herr, as well as a descendant of Wendell Bauman, one of the first settlers in Lancaster County.
His father, John Wenger Martin, also known as "Pike John" Martin, had inherited the western section of his father's (Abraham) farm lands, along with the old family homestead. B.B. Martin's sister, Sue Martin, inherited the farm upon the death of their father, and the property became known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Winters Farm. Meanwhile, the eastern section of the old Abraham Martin farm passed to John Wenger Martin's brother, Abraham Wenger Martin. However, Abraham eventually sold his farm and moved with his family to New York. This farm became the Bear farm and then in 1968, the Hoover farm.
John Wenger Martin also was known as "Gentleman John." He and his wife were Mennonites, and they are both buried in the second Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery in row 2, lots 36 and 37. One oral tradition reports that he became a Lutheran, which may be true since two of his sons---B.B. and J.B.---were Lutherans, and they, as well as their brother William K. Martin all entered the world of business in contrast to the Mennonite career path of agriculture. John Wenger Martin can be found in the 1850 census under the name "Pike John." He was also known as "one of the most progressive men of his day."
Although Klein recorded that John Wenger Martin had five children, it appears that in reality he had nine children, three of whom died at an early age and another one who died in middle age. In any case, Barton Bauman Martin was the oldest child in the family. He embarked on his business career at the early age of fourteen (i.e., 1835) by becoming a clerk in the store of a relative in Rohrerstown, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. It appears that he worked for the firm of Ringwalt and Davis in Rohrerstown, although this is not absolutely certain. Both the Ringwalt and Davis families were from the East Earl area, but it is unclear to this writer, as to whom this "relative" was. The Davis' were among the early Weaverland settlers in the 1720s when B.B. Martin's great grandfather, David Martin, and great great great grandfather Christian Martin, settled in the area of the Weaverland Valley, south of the Conestoga Creek. The Ringwalts owned a tavern known as Ringwalt's Tavern on the main road, and which appeared on a map of 1824 of Lancaster County. The Ringwalt family was large one and spread throughout the County.
At some point in the 1840s, it appears that B.B. Martin entered into business for himself, choosing Millersville, Manor Township, Lancaster County, located to the south of Rohrerstown and west of Lancaster Boro, as his initial location. He may have been associated with Henry Bauman in the early years of the business. In addition to his keen business insight, he also developed a strong interest in education and academia. By 1850, according to the census, the 27-year old Barton was living in Millersville along with his wife, 29-year old Catherine C. Rohrer, and his mother-in-law, whose name also was Catherine. The latter still possessed a fair amount of wealth, which would support the oral tradition that B.B. married very well. His wife, Catherine, was born in 1820 and died Dec. 8, 1886 at the age of 66.
In any case, opening a dry goods store would have required a considerable amount of capital in order to stock an inventory of goods. Either B.B. was able to line up ample credit, secure a good loan or acquire financial backing. Possibly the Rohrer family assisted him in the start-up costs. As of 1850, his net worth was listed as $5300. His mother-in-law, Catherine Rohrer, had assets of $5000. Four children are indicated in the 1850 census: Edwin (5), Calvin Martin (4), Catherine (2) and Julia (1). An additional boarder was Barton's younger brother Jonas B. Martin (21). B.B.'s store was on property that had at one time belonged to Christian (King) Herr and included an old log cabin. Herr sold it to B.B. The property was on the main road, across from the Swan Hotel on one corner and the Union Hall on another. Bethany Lutheran Church (built 1876) was built nearby (north of Union Hall) and eventually became Bethany Evangelical Mennonite Church.
In addition to becoming a local merchant, B.B. also became active in the Lutheran Church. Together with the Rev. L. M. Hobbs, D.S. Bare and other "liberal and energetic citizens," he laid the foundations in 1854 for what became the Millersville State Normal School, a teachers college. By 1983, the institution had trained over 40,000 students. The funds were raised by subscription. Barton became a trustee and assumed the burden of financial obligations for the new school.
In 1859, Barton closed his Millersville store and moved the business to Lancaster, where he opened an extensive dry and fancy goods store at the corner of West King and North Prince Streets in Lancaster. As of 1860, he was, however, still living in Millersville. The census lists him as a merchant with assets of $20,000 in real estate and $1,300 in personal assets---a dramatic increase from 1850. He is listed as being 37, and living with his wife, Catherine, also 37 and the following: Abraham, 16; John C. (14); Catherine, 13; Julia, 11; Elizabeth, 9; Susan L., 7; Alice, 6; Clara, 4. The data taker apparently misunderstood the name of Barton's oldest son. John Blotz (50), a farmhand, is also listed as living with the family. Neighbors included George Kitch (47) a brick maker, and Jacob Immel (32), an innkeeper, and their respective families.
Reports indicate that his health was already beginning to be impaired at this point. The nature of the health problem is not stated, but it may well have been job stress, if one considers his rather hectic career. Nonetheless, a few years after arriving in Lancaster, Barton entered the lumber and coal trade, beginning what became a thirty year involvement in this industry. He bought extensive stands of white pine in Clinton, Centre and Cambria Counties and built wholesale lumber yards at Lock Haven and Columbia, Pennsylvania, as well as a retail lumber yard in Lancaster and steam sawmills. He was also the principal member and partner of the coal mining firm, Martin and Company. The latter owned thousands of acres of bituminous coals fields in Cambria County. Martin and Company had offices in Philadelphia and Lancaster, shipping wharves at Greenwich Point, South Amboy and Baltimore. The Lancaster offices, as of 1884, were at 420 North Water Street. Barton also acquired thousands of acres of coal and lumber along the route of the Vanderbilt Railroad in the Clearfield region.
Barton appears to have been very involved in the growth of Lancaster. He donated the land for and helped lay out Lancaster Avenue. He helped open up western Lancaster by building his mansion, known as "West Lawn," on West Chestnut Street (at 407 West Chestnut), on the corner of West Chestnut and Charlotte. The house still stands on the corner today. In 1883, Evans ranked it as the "handsomest piece of architecture in the County." The beautiful and ornate residential villa was one of the first suburban residences in the area. Immediately to the west of Barton, his brother, Jonas B., built his own mansion at 423 West Chestnut Avenue.
Together with his brother Jonas, who opened his own dry goods store on West King Street (corner with Prince Street) in Lancaster and also was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Millersville State Normal School, Barton was one of the most influential townsmen of the era. During the Civil War, he was active Union supporter. Both of his sons volunteered and fought for the Union Army. These actions indicate how far from his Mennonite roots of pacifism and non-commercialism Barton had moved.
On July 4, 1876, on the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, his son, Edwin K. Martin, gave the keynote oration for the day's festivities in Earl Township, while his brother, John Calvin Martin, served on the historical committee.
Barton Martin and his wife, Catherine Rohrer, appear to have had ten children, three sons and seven daughters, nine of whom survived childhood. The daughters married some of the more prominent men of Lancaster's legal community. Catherine died on Dec. 7, 1886, although her obit states that she died at 10:00 in the evening on Dec. 8, 1886. She was 65. Barton died on Aug. 4, 1890 and was buried at Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster. His son John Calvin Martin took over the family businesses.
Children:
(1) Infant son (Aug. 25, 1843-died young; buried Gable Cemetery)
(2) Edwin K. Martin (Oct. 1, 1844-May 4, 1913)
(3) John Calvin Martin (Nov. 13, 1845-Sept. 3, 1912)
(4) Catherine ("Kate"/"Katie") F. Martin (1845-1932)
(5) Julia Martin (1849-1928)
(6) Lillie E. Martin (Nov. 29, 1850-March 24, 1946)
(7) Alice A. Martin (1853-1929)
(8) Clara Martin (ca 1856- )
(9 ) Daisy Martin (1863-1918)
(10) Dora Martin (after 1864- )
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZkwNO-DcPA.
Also: https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf.
Bates, Samuel. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865. 4 Volumes. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, 1869. (Note: 79th Pennsylvania Regiment is covered in Vol. II).
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 4 volumes. New York: The Century Company, 1884. III, pp. 29ff and 53ff.
Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. n.a.: J. H. Beers and Co., 1903, I, p. 220ff.
Bradley, Mark. L. "General William P. Carlin and the Nightmare of Bentonville?" North and South, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Feb. 2003), pp. 70-81.
Coley, Robert E., Jolly, James A. and Slotter, Carole L. (Eds.) Millersville---Penn Manor Community History. Millersville: Research Committee of the Millersville---Penn Manor Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
Cozzins, Peter. This Terrible Sound. The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1972.
Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel. History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Pecks, 1883, pp. 531-532.
Heinhold, Laura K. Genealogy of John Bowman of the Seventh Day German Baptists of Ephrata, Penn. Philadelphia: Self-published, 1951.
https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf
Klein, H. M. J. (ed.) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A History. 4 volumes. New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1924, IV, p. 323-324.
Skinner, George (ed.) Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields Commission, 1897.
Stauffer, Mary. Private papers.
Wenger, Samuel S. The Wenger Book. A Foundation Book of American Wengers. Lancaster: Pennsylvania German Heritage History, 1978.
Williams, Harrison. "Regimental History of the 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War: The Lancaster County Regiment," Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1980), pp. 17-31.
His father, John Wenger Martin, also known as "Pike John" Martin, had inherited the western section of his father's (Abraham) farm lands, along with the old family homestead. B.B. Martin's sister, Sue Martin, inherited the farm upon the death of their father, and the property became known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Winters Farm. Meanwhile, the eastern section of the old Abraham Martin farm passed to John Wenger Martin's brother, Abraham Wenger Martin. However, Abraham eventually sold his farm and moved with his family to New York. This farm became the Bear farm and then in 1968, the Hoover farm.
John Wenger Martin also was known as "Gentleman John." He and his wife were Mennonites, and they are both buried in the second Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery in row 2, lots 36 and 37. One oral tradition reports that he became a Lutheran, which may be true since two of his sons---B.B. and J.B.---were Lutherans, and they, as well as their brother William K. Martin all entered the world of business in contrast to the Mennonite career path of agriculture. John Wenger Martin can be found in the 1850 census under the name "Pike John." He was also known as "one of the most progressive men of his day."
Although Klein recorded that John Wenger Martin had five children, it appears that in reality he had nine children, three of whom died at an early age and another one who died in middle age. In any case, Barton Bauman Martin was the oldest child in the family. He embarked on his business career at the early age of fourteen (i.e., 1835) by becoming a clerk in the store of a relative in Rohrerstown, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. It appears that he worked for the firm of Ringwalt and Davis in Rohrerstown, although this is not absolutely certain. Both the Ringwalt and Davis families were from the East Earl area, but it is unclear to this writer, as to whom this "relative" was. The Davis' were among the early Weaverland settlers in the 1720s when B.B. Martin's great grandfather, David Martin, and great great great grandfather Christian Martin, settled in the area of the Weaverland Valley, south of the Conestoga Creek. The Ringwalts owned a tavern known as Ringwalt's Tavern on the main road, and which appeared on a map of 1824 of Lancaster County. The Ringwalt family was large one and spread throughout the County.
At some point in the 1840s, it appears that B.B. Martin entered into business for himself, choosing Millersville, Manor Township, Lancaster County, located to the south of Rohrerstown and west of Lancaster Boro, as his initial location. He may have been associated with Henry Bauman in the early years of the business. In addition to his keen business insight, he also developed a strong interest in education and academia. By 1850, according to the census, the 27-year old Barton was living in Millersville along with his wife, 29-year old Catherine C. Rohrer, and his mother-in-law, whose name also was Catherine. The latter still possessed a fair amount of wealth, which would support the oral tradition that B.B. married very well. His wife, Catherine, was born in 1820 and died Dec. 8, 1886 at the age of 66.
In any case, opening a dry goods store would have required a considerable amount of capital in order to stock an inventory of goods. Either B.B. was able to line up ample credit, secure a good loan or acquire financial backing. Possibly the Rohrer family assisted him in the start-up costs. As of 1850, his net worth was listed as $5300. His mother-in-law, Catherine Rohrer, had assets of $5000. Four children are indicated in the 1850 census: Edwin (5), Calvin Martin (4), Catherine (2) and Julia (1). An additional boarder was Barton's younger brother Jonas B. Martin (21). B.B.'s store was on property that had at one time belonged to Christian (King) Herr and included an old log cabin. Herr sold it to B.B. The property was on the main road, across from the Swan Hotel on one corner and the Union Hall on another. Bethany Lutheran Church (built 1876) was built nearby (north of Union Hall) and eventually became Bethany Evangelical Mennonite Church.
In addition to becoming a local merchant, B.B. also became active in the Lutheran Church. Together with the Rev. L. M. Hobbs, D.S. Bare and other "liberal and energetic citizens," he laid the foundations in 1854 for what became the Millersville State Normal School, a teachers college. By 1983, the institution had trained over 40,000 students. The funds were raised by subscription. Barton became a trustee and assumed the burden of financial obligations for the new school.
In 1859, Barton closed his Millersville store and moved the business to Lancaster, where he opened an extensive dry and fancy goods store at the corner of West King and North Prince Streets in Lancaster. As of 1860, he was, however, still living in Millersville. The census lists him as a merchant with assets of $20,000 in real estate and $1,300 in personal assets---a dramatic increase from 1850. He is listed as being 37, and living with his wife, Catherine, also 37 and the following: Abraham, 16; John C. (14); Catherine, 13; Julia, 11; Elizabeth, 9; Susan L., 7; Alice, 6; Clara, 4. The data taker apparently misunderstood the name of Barton's oldest son. John Blotz (50), a farmhand, is also listed as living with the family. Neighbors included George Kitch (47) a brick maker, and Jacob Immel (32), an innkeeper, and their respective families.
Reports indicate that his health was already beginning to be impaired at this point. The nature of the health problem is not stated, but it may well have been job stress, if one considers his rather hectic career. Nonetheless, a few years after arriving in Lancaster, Barton entered the lumber and coal trade, beginning what became a thirty year involvement in this industry. He bought extensive stands of white pine in Clinton, Centre and Cambria Counties and built wholesale lumber yards at Lock Haven and Columbia, Pennsylvania, as well as a retail lumber yard in Lancaster and steam sawmills. He was also the principal member and partner of the coal mining firm, Martin and Company. The latter owned thousands of acres of bituminous coals fields in Cambria County. Martin and Company had offices in Philadelphia and Lancaster, shipping wharves at Greenwich Point, South Amboy and Baltimore. The Lancaster offices, as of 1884, were at 420 North Water Street. Barton also acquired thousands of acres of coal and lumber along the route of the Vanderbilt Railroad in the Clearfield region.
Barton appears to have been very involved in the growth of Lancaster. He donated the land for and helped lay out Lancaster Avenue. He helped open up western Lancaster by building his mansion, known as "West Lawn," on West Chestnut Street (at 407 West Chestnut), on the corner of West Chestnut and Charlotte. The house still stands on the corner today. In 1883, Evans ranked it as the "handsomest piece of architecture in the County." The beautiful and ornate residential villa was one of the first suburban residences in the area. Immediately to the west of Barton, his brother, Jonas B., built his own mansion at 423 West Chestnut Avenue.
Together with his brother Jonas, who opened his own dry goods store on West King Street (corner with Prince Street) in Lancaster and also was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Millersville State Normal School, Barton was one of the most influential townsmen of the era. During the Civil War, he was active Union supporter. Both of his sons volunteered and fought for the Union Army. These actions indicate how far from his Mennonite roots of pacifism and non-commercialism Barton had moved.
On July 4, 1876, on the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, his son, Edwin K. Martin, gave the keynote oration for the day's festivities in Earl Township, while his brother, John Calvin Martin, served on the historical committee.
Barton Martin and his wife, Catherine Rohrer, appear to have had ten children, three sons and seven daughters, nine of whom survived childhood. The daughters married some of the more prominent men of Lancaster's legal community. Catherine died on Dec. 7, 1886, although her obit states that she died at 10:00 in the evening on Dec. 8, 1886. She was 65. Barton died on Aug. 4, 1890 and was buried at Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster. His son John Calvin Martin took over the family businesses.
Children:
(1) Infant son (Aug. 25, 1843-died young; buried Gable Cemetery)
(2) Edwin K. Martin (Oct. 1, 1844-May 4, 1913)
(3) John Calvin Martin (Nov. 13, 1845-Sept. 3, 1912)
(4) Catherine ("Kate"/"Katie") F. Martin (1845-1932)
(5) Julia Martin (1849-1928)
(6) Lillie E. Martin (Nov. 29, 1850-March 24, 1946)
(7) Alice A. Martin (1853-1929)
(8) Clara Martin (ca 1856- )
(9 ) Daisy Martin (1863-1918)
(10) Dora Martin (after 1864- )
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZkwNO-DcPA.
Also: https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf.
Bates, Samuel. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865. 4 Volumes. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, 1869. (Note: 79th Pennsylvania Regiment is covered in Vol. II).
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 4 volumes. New York: The Century Company, 1884. III, pp. 29ff and 53ff.
Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. n.a.: J. H. Beers and Co., 1903, I, p. 220ff.
Bradley, Mark. L. "General William P. Carlin and the Nightmare of Bentonville?" North and South, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Feb. 2003), pp. 70-81.
Coley, Robert E., Jolly, James A. and Slotter, Carole L. (Eds.) Millersville---Penn Manor Community History. Millersville: Research Committee of the Millersville---Penn Manor Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
Cozzins, Peter. This Terrible Sound. The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1972.
Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel. History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Pecks, 1883, pp. 531-532.
Heinhold, Laura K. Genealogy of John Bowman of the Seventh Day German Baptists of Ephrata, Penn. Philadelphia: Self-published, 1951.
https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf
Klein, H. M. J. (ed.) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A History. 4 volumes. New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1924, IV, p. 323-324.
Skinner, George (ed.) Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields Commission, 1897.
Stauffer, Mary. Private papers.
Wenger, Samuel S. The Wenger Book. A Foundation Book of American Wengers. Lancaster: Pennsylvania German Heritage History, 1978.
Williams, Harrison. "Regimental History of the 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War: The Lancaster County Regiment," Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1980), pp. 17-31.
Barton Martin was perhaps the most successful of the sons of John Wenger Martin and Elizabeth Bauman, if not one of the more successful Martins of the nineteenth century. His story, and that of his children, is one of the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution in America. Known as B. B. Martin, Barton Bauman Martin was born in East Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to John Wenger Martin (Feb. 8, 1800-July 12, 1872) and his wife Elizabeth Bauman (Nov. 28, 1799-Dec. 11, 1855). Barton was a great grandson of David Martin the Mennonite Immigrant of 1727 who settled in Weaverland, Earl Township, and his wife, Barbara Herr, as well as a descendant of Wendell Bauman, one of the first settlers in Lancaster County.
His father, John Wenger Martin, also known as "Pike John" Martin, had inherited the western section of his father's (Abraham) farm lands, along with the old family homestead. B.B. Martin's sister, Sue Martin, inherited the farm upon the death of their father, and the property became known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Winters Farm. Meanwhile, the eastern section of the old Abraham Martin farm passed to John Wenger Martin's brother, Abraham Wenger Martin. However, Abraham eventually sold his farm and moved with his family to New York. This farm became the Bear farm and then in 1968, the Hoover farm.
John Wenger Martin also was known as "Gentleman John." He and his wife were Mennonites, and they are both buried in the second Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery in row 2, lots 36 and 37. One oral tradition reports that he became a Lutheran, which may be true since two of his sons---B.B. and J.B.---were Lutherans, and they, as well as their brother William K. Martin all entered the world of business in contrast to the Mennonite career path of agriculture. John Wenger Martin can be found in the 1850 census under the name "Pike John." He was also known as "one of the most progressive men of his day."
Although Klein recorded that John Wenger Martin had five children, it appears that in reality he had nine children, three of whom died at an early age and another one who died in middle age. In any case, Barton Bauman Martin was the oldest child in the family. He embarked on his business career at the early age of fourteen (i.e., 1835) by becoming a clerk in the store of a relative in Rohrerstown, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. It appears that he worked for the firm of Ringwalt and Davis in Rohrerstown, although this is not absolutely certain. Both the Ringwalt and Davis families were from the East Earl area, but it is unclear to this writer, as to whom this "relative" was. The Davis' were among the early Weaverland settlers in the 1720s when B.B. Martin's great grandfather, David Martin, and great great great grandfather Christian Martin, settled in the area of the Weaverland Valley, south of the Conestoga Creek. The Ringwalts owned a tavern known as Ringwalt's Tavern on the main road, and which appeared on a map of 1824 of Lancaster County. The Ringwalt family was large one and spread throughout the County.
At some point in the 1840s, it appears that B.B. Martin entered into business for himself, choosing Millersville, Manor Township, Lancaster County, located to the south of Rohrerstown and west of Lancaster Boro, as his initial location. He may have been associated with Henry Bauman in the early years of the business. In addition to his keen business insight, he also developed a strong interest in education and academia. By 1850, according to the census, the 27-year old Barton was living in Millersville along with his wife, 29-year old Catherine C. Rohrer, and his mother-in-law, whose name also was Catherine. The latter still possessed a fair amount of wealth, which would support the oral tradition that B.B. married very well. His wife, Catherine, was born in 1820 and died Dec. 8, 1886 at the age of 66.
In any case, opening a dry goods store would have required a considerable amount of capital in order to stock an inventory of goods. Either B.B. was able to line up ample credit, secure a good loan or acquire financial backing. Possibly the Rohrer family assisted him in the start-up costs. As of 1850, his net worth was listed as $5300. His mother-in-law, Catherine Rohrer, had assets of $5000. Four children are indicated in the 1850 census: Edwin (5), Calvin Martin (4), Catherine (2) and Julia (1). An additional boarder was Barton's younger brother Jonas B. Martin (21). B.B.'s store was on property that had at one time belonged to Christian (King) Herr and included an old log cabin. Herr sold it to B.B. The property was on the main road, across from the Swan Hotel on one corner and the Union Hall on another. Bethany Lutheran Church (built 1876) was built nearby (north of Union Hall) and eventually became Bethany Evangelical Mennonite Church.
In addition to becoming a local merchant, B.B. also became active in the Lutheran Church. Together with the Rev. L. M. Hobbs, D.S. Bare and other "liberal and energetic citizens," he laid the foundations in 1854 for what became the Millersville State Normal School, a teachers college. By 1983, the institution had trained over 40,000 students. The funds were raised by subscription. Barton became a trustee and assumed the burden of financial obligations for the new school.
In 1859, Barton closed his Millersville store and moved the business to Lancaster, where he opened an extensive dry and fancy goods store at the corner of West King and North Prince Streets in Lancaster. As of 1860, he was, however, still living in Millersville. The census lists him as a merchant with assets of $20,000 in real estate and $1,300 in personal assets---a dramatic increase from 1850. He is listed as being 37, and living with his wife, Catherine, also 37 and the following: Abraham, 16; John C. (14); Catherine, 13; Julia, 11; Elizabeth, 9; Susan L., 7; Alice, 6; Clara, 4. The data taker apparently misunderstood the name of Barton's oldest son. John Blotz (50), a farmhand, is also listed as living with the family. Neighbors included George Kitch (47) a brick maker, and Jacob Immel (32), an innkeeper, and their respective families.
Reports indicate that his health was already beginning to be impaired at this point. The nature of the health problem is not stated, but it may well have been job stress, if one considers his rather hectic career. Nonetheless, a few years after arriving in Lancaster, Barton entered the lumber and coal trade, beginning what became a thirty year involvement in this industry. He bought extensive stands of white pine in Clinton, Centre and Cambria Counties and built wholesale lumber yards at Lock Haven and Columbia, Pennsylvania, as well as a retail lumber yard in Lancaster and steam sawmills. He was also the principal member and partner of the coal mining firm, Martin and Company. The latter owned thousands of acres of bituminous coals fields in Cambria County. Martin and Company had offices in Philadelphia and Lancaster, shipping wharves at Greenwich Point, South Amboy and Baltimore. The Lancaster offices, as of 1884, were at 420 North Water Street. Barton also acquired thousands of acres of coal and lumber along the route of the Vanderbilt Railroad in the Clearfield region.
Barton appears to have been very involved in the growth of Lancaster. He donated the land for and helped lay out Lancaster Avenue. He helped open up western Lancaster by building his mansion, known as "West Lawn," on West Chestnut Street (at 407 West Chestnut), on the corner of West Chestnut and Charlotte. The house still stands on the corner today. In 1883, Evans ranked it as the "handsomest piece of architecture in the County." The beautiful and ornate residential villa was one of the first suburban residences in the area. Immediately to the west of Barton, his brother, Jonas B., built his own mansion at 423 West Chestnut Avenue.
Together with his brother Jonas, who opened his own dry goods store on West King Street (corner with Prince Street) in Lancaster and also was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Millersville State Normal School, Barton was one of the most influential townsmen of the era. During the Civil War, he was active Union supporter. Both of his sons volunteered and fought for the Union Army. These actions indicate how far from his Mennonite roots of pacifism and non-commercialism Barton had moved.
On July 4, 1876, on the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, his son, Edwin K. Martin, gave the keynote oration for the day's festivities in Earl Township, while his brother, John Calvin Martin, served on the historical committee.
Barton Martin and his wife, Catherine Rohrer, appear to have had ten children, three sons and seven daughters, nine of whom survived childhood. The daughters married some of the more prominent men of Lancaster's legal community. Catherine died on Dec. 7, 1886, although her obit states that she died at 10:00 in the evening on Dec. 8, 1886. She was 65. Barton died on Aug. 4, 1890 and was buried at Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster. His son John Calvin Martin took over the family businesses.
Children:
(1) Infant son (Aug. 25, 1843-died young; buried Gable Cemetery)
(2) Edwin K. Martin (Oct. 1, 1844-May 4, 1913)
(3) John Calvin Martin (Nov. 13, 1845-Sept. 3, 1912)
(4) Catherine ("Kate"/"Katie") F. Martin (1845-1932)
(5) Julia Martin (1849-1928)
(6) Lillie E. Martin (Nov. 29, 1850-March 24, 1946)
(7) Alice A. Martin (1853-1929)
(8) Clara Martin (ca 1856- )
(9 ) Daisy Martin (1863-1918)
(10) Dora Martin (after 1864- )
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZkwNO-DcPA.
Also: https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf.
Bates, Samuel. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865. 4 Volumes. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, 1869. (Note: 79th Pennsylvania Regiment is covered in Vol. II).
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 4 volumes. New York: The Century Company, 1884. III, pp. 29ff and 53ff.
Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. n.a.: J. H. Beers and Co., 1903, I, p. 220ff.
Bradley, Mark. L. "General William P. Carlin and the Nightmare of Bentonville?" North and South, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Feb. 2003), pp. 70-81.
Coley, Robert E., Jolly, James A. and Slotter, Carole L. (Eds.) Millersville---Penn Manor Community History. Millersville: Research Committee of the Millersville---Penn Manor Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
Cozzins, Peter. This Terrible Sound. The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1972.
Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel. History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Pecks, 1883, pp. 531-532.
Heinhold, Laura K. Genealogy of John Bowman of the Seventh Day German Baptists of Ephrata, Penn. Philadelphia: Self-published, 1951.
https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf
Klein, H. M. J. (ed.) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A History. 4 volumes. New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1924, IV, p. 323-324.
Skinner, George (ed.) Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields Commission, 1897.
Stauffer, Mary. Private papers.
Wenger, Samuel S. The Wenger Book. A Foundation Book of American Wengers. Lancaster: Pennsylvania German Heritage History, 1978.
Williams, Harrison. "Regimental History of the 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War: The Lancaster County Regiment," Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1980), pp. 17-31.
His father, John Wenger Martin, also known as "Pike John" Martin, had inherited the western section of his father's (Abraham) farm lands, along with the old family homestead. B.B. Martin's sister, Sue Martin, inherited the farm upon the death of their father, and the property became known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Winters Farm. Meanwhile, the eastern section of the old Abraham Martin farm passed to John Wenger Martin's brother, Abraham Wenger Martin. However, Abraham eventually sold his farm and moved with his family to New York. This farm became the Bear farm and then in 1968, the Hoover farm.
John Wenger Martin also was known as "Gentleman John." He and his wife were Mennonites, and they are both buried in the second Weaverland Mennonite Cemetery in row 2, lots 36 and 37. One oral tradition reports that he became a Lutheran, which may be true since two of his sons---B.B. and J.B.---were Lutherans, and they, as well as their brother William K. Martin all entered the world of business in contrast to the Mennonite career path of agriculture. John Wenger Martin can be found in the 1850 census under the name "Pike John." He was also known as "one of the most progressive men of his day."
Although Klein recorded that John Wenger Martin had five children, it appears that in reality he had nine children, three of whom died at an early age and another one who died in middle age. In any case, Barton Bauman Martin was the oldest child in the family. He embarked on his business career at the early age of fourteen (i.e., 1835) by becoming a clerk in the store of a relative in Rohrerstown, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County. It appears that he worked for the firm of Ringwalt and Davis in Rohrerstown, although this is not absolutely certain. Both the Ringwalt and Davis families were from the East Earl area, but it is unclear to this writer, as to whom this "relative" was. The Davis' were among the early Weaverland settlers in the 1720s when B.B. Martin's great grandfather, David Martin, and great great great grandfather Christian Martin, settled in the area of the Weaverland Valley, south of the Conestoga Creek. The Ringwalts owned a tavern known as Ringwalt's Tavern on the main road, and which appeared on a map of 1824 of Lancaster County. The Ringwalt family was large one and spread throughout the County.
At some point in the 1840s, it appears that B.B. Martin entered into business for himself, choosing Millersville, Manor Township, Lancaster County, located to the south of Rohrerstown and west of Lancaster Boro, as his initial location. He may have been associated with Henry Bauman in the early years of the business. In addition to his keen business insight, he also developed a strong interest in education and academia. By 1850, according to the census, the 27-year old Barton was living in Millersville along with his wife, 29-year old Catherine C. Rohrer, and his mother-in-law, whose name also was Catherine. The latter still possessed a fair amount of wealth, which would support the oral tradition that B.B. married very well. His wife, Catherine, was born in 1820 and died Dec. 8, 1886 at the age of 66.
In any case, opening a dry goods store would have required a considerable amount of capital in order to stock an inventory of goods. Either B.B. was able to line up ample credit, secure a good loan or acquire financial backing. Possibly the Rohrer family assisted him in the start-up costs. As of 1850, his net worth was listed as $5300. His mother-in-law, Catherine Rohrer, had assets of $5000. Four children are indicated in the 1850 census: Edwin (5), Calvin Martin (4), Catherine (2) and Julia (1). An additional boarder was Barton's younger brother Jonas B. Martin (21). B.B.'s store was on property that had at one time belonged to Christian (King) Herr and included an old log cabin. Herr sold it to B.B. The property was on the main road, across from the Swan Hotel on one corner and the Union Hall on another. Bethany Lutheran Church (built 1876) was built nearby (north of Union Hall) and eventually became Bethany Evangelical Mennonite Church.
In addition to becoming a local merchant, B.B. also became active in the Lutheran Church. Together with the Rev. L. M. Hobbs, D.S. Bare and other "liberal and energetic citizens," he laid the foundations in 1854 for what became the Millersville State Normal School, a teachers college. By 1983, the institution had trained over 40,000 students. The funds were raised by subscription. Barton became a trustee and assumed the burden of financial obligations for the new school.
In 1859, Barton closed his Millersville store and moved the business to Lancaster, where he opened an extensive dry and fancy goods store at the corner of West King and North Prince Streets in Lancaster. As of 1860, he was, however, still living in Millersville. The census lists him as a merchant with assets of $20,000 in real estate and $1,300 in personal assets---a dramatic increase from 1850. He is listed as being 37, and living with his wife, Catherine, also 37 and the following: Abraham, 16; John C. (14); Catherine, 13; Julia, 11; Elizabeth, 9; Susan L., 7; Alice, 6; Clara, 4. The data taker apparently misunderstood the name of Barton's oldest son. John Blotz (50), a farmhand, is also listed as living with the family. Neighbors included George Kitch (47) a brick maker, and Jacob Immel (32), an innkeeper, and their respective families.
Reports indicate that his health was already beginning to be impaired at this point. The nature of the health problem is not stated, but it may well have been job stress, if one considers his rather hectic career. Nonetheless, a few years after arriving in Lancaster, Barton entered the lumber and coal trade, beginning what became a thirty year involvement in this industry. He bought extensive stands of white pine in Clinton, Centre and Cambria Counties and built wholesale lumber yards at Lock Haven and Columbia, Pennsylvania, as well as a retail lumber yard in Lancaster and steam sawmills. He was also the principal member and partner of the coal mining firm, Martin and Company. The latter owned thousands of acres of bituminous coals fields in Cambria County. Martin and Company had offices in Philadelphia and Lancaster, shipping wharves at Greenwich Point, South Amboy and Baltimore. The Lancaster offices, as of 1884, were at 420 North Water Street. Barton also acquired thousands of acres of coal and lumber along the route of the Vanderbilt Railroad in the Clearfield region.
Barton appears to have been very involved in the growth of Lancaster. He donated the land for and helped lay out Lancaster Avenue. He helped open up western Lancaster by building his mansion, known as "West Lawn," on West Chestnut Street (at 407 West Chestnut), on the corner of West Chestnut and Charlotte. The house still stands on the corner today. In 1883, Evans ranked it as the "handsomest piece of architecture in the County." The beautiful and ornate residential villa was one of the first suburban residences in the area. Immediately to the west of Barton, his brother, Jonas B., built his own mansion at 423 West Chestnut Avenue.
Together with his brother Jonas, who opened his own dry goods store on West King Street (corner with Prince Street) in Lancaster and also was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Millersville State Normal School, Barton was one of the most influential townsmen of the era. During the Civil War, he was active Union supporter. Both of his sons volunteered and fought for the Union Army. These actions indicate how far from his Mennonite roots of pacifism and non-commercialism Barton had moved.
On July 4, 1876, on the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, his son, Edwin K. Martin, gave the keynote oration for the day's festivities in Earl Township, while his brother, John Calvin Martin, served on the historical committee.
Barton Martin and his wife, Catherine Rohrer, appear to have had ten children, three sons and seven daughters, nine of whom survived childhood. The daughters married some of the more prominent men of Lancaster's legal community. Catherine died on Dec. 7, 1886, although her obit states that she died at 10:00 in the evening on Dec. 8, 1886. She was 65. Barton died on Aug. 4, 1890 and was buried at Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster. His son John Calvin Martin took over the family businesses.
Children:
(1) Infant son (Aug. 25, 1843-died young; buried Gable Cemetery)
(2) Edwin K. Martin (Oct. 1, 1844-May 4, 1913)
(3) John Calvin Martin (Nov. 13, 1845-Sept. 3, 1912)
(4) Catherine ("Kate"/"Katie") F. Martin (1845-1932)
(5) Julia Martin (1849-1928)
(6) Lillie E. Martin (Nov. 29, 1850-March 24, 1946)
(7) Alice A. Martin (1853-1929)
(8) Clara Martin (ca 1856- )
(9 ) Daisy Martin (1863-1918)
(10) Dora Martin (after 1864- )
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZkwNO-DcPA.
Also: https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf.
Bates, Samuel. History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865. 4 Volumes. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, 1869. (Note: 79th Pennsylvania Regiment is covered in Vol. II).
Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 4 volumes. New York: The Century Company, 1884. III, pp. 29ff and 53ff.
Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. n.a.: J. H. Beers and Co., 1903, I, p. 220ff.
Bradley, Mark. L. "General William P. Carlin and the Nightmare of Bentonville?" North and South, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Feb. 2003), pp. 70-81.
Coley, Robert E., Jolly, James A. and Slotter, Carole L. (Eds.) Millersville---Penn Manor Community History. Millersville: Research Committee of the Millersville---Penn Manor Bicentennial Committee, 1976.
Cozzins, Peter. This Terrible Sound. The Battle of Chickamauga. Urbana: University of Illinois, 1972.
Ellis, Franklin and Evans, Samuel. History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Philadelphia: Everts and Pecks, 1883, pp. 531-532.
Heinhold, Laura K. Genealogy of John Bowman of the Seventh Day German Baptists of Ephrata, Penn. Philadelphia: Self-published, 1951.
https://gis.penndot.gov/CRGISAttachments/SiteResource/H083513_01H.pdf
Klein, H. M. J. (ed.) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A History. 4 volumes. New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1924, IV, p. 323-324.
Skinner, George (ed.) Pennsylvania at Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields Commission, 1897.
Stauffer, Mary. Private papers.
Wenger, Samuel S. The Wenger Book. A Foundation Book of American Wengers. Lancaster: Pennsylvania German Heritage History, 1978.
Williams, Harrison. "Regimental History of the 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War: The Lancaster County Regiment," Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Vol. 84, No. 1 (1980), pp. 17-31.
Family Members
Siblings
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