The Martin Brothers of Lancaster, PA
Mennonite farm brothers helped build Lancaster City
And helped create Millersville University
Above: Homes of the Martin brothers in Lancaster, PA. Their families were next-door neighbors. Portrait of Barton B. Martin. Portrait source: History of Lancaster County, Ellis and Evans, 1883.
Above: Lancaster County farm near Goodville where the Martin brothers were born and raised.
The story of the Martin Brothers is a story of Mennonite farm brothers who left their parents’ farm to follow their dreams. Although the brothers had only limited education they found fortune and family in Lancaster City. It is the story of the promise and potential of urban Lancaster. It is a story of how two brothers found their American dream.
Barton Martin became one of Lancaster’s most successful businessmen with his coal and lumber business. Jonas Martin became a prosperous owner of a Lancaster department store. This website is a scrapbook of their history.
Contents: Links to this Website’s Pages:
In East Earl Township, Lancaster County
Home of the Martin Brothers’ Great-Great-Grandfather:
The Pioneer Immigrant David Martin
In East Earl Township, Lancaster County.
By Darvin L. Martin
Their Mennonite Meetinghouses and Graveyards
The Martin Farm at Goodville
The Martins helped build the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Lancaster City.
The Martin Brothers help create growth for a new neighborhood in the city.
Barton B. Martin:
“…no one contributed more liberally both of time and means than did B. B. Martin.” (Quote: Barton Martin’s 1890 Obituary)
Jonas B. Martin:
“He personally purchased the ground for the Millersville Academy which later became the State Normal School [today’s Millersville University].” (Quote: Jonas Martin’s 1921 Obituary)
The Martins and the Franklins were two of the most prominent families of Chesnut Hill in Lancaster City. Thomas Franklin was Pennsylvania attorney general. These two families were next-door neighbors in the late 1800s
It was one of the most successful businesses in Lancaster.
The Martin Brothers helped lead the campaign to construct the church building, near their homes on Chestnut Hill. Barton and Catherine Martin’s children donated a stained glass window in their parents’ memory.
Sisters Katie and Lillie (Martin) received ownership of West Lawn after their father Barton Martin passed away in 1890.
1874: The Martin brothers helped build this landmark Lancaster hotel.
Barton Martin’s grandson and family co-owned and managed the hotel.
Jonas and Anna lived in the home that became the Wolf Museum of Music and Art.