A. Martin and Company - Furniture, Coffins, and Undertaking

Andreas Martin, an immigrant from Germany, came to America in 1857, and had settled in Defiance by the next year, according to his obituary.  The Defiance Republican Express (July 28, 1892) noted that A. Martin and Company was established in Defiance in 1874; it dealt in furniture, coffins and undertaking.  Andreas, his son, August, and a cousin, Gottlieb Martin, all worked in the company.

On January 1, 1891, August took over the business from his father, Andreas, as co-partner and manager of the furniture sales, while Gottlieb was in charge of the undertaking establishment.  The company was known for its excellent craftmanship - both August and Gottlieb had experience in coffin making - and the company had the finest hearse in Defiance, according to the newspaper.

"The Messrs Martin are young men of excellent attainments and have a thorough knowledge of business.  Their store is located at 518 and 520 Clinton street.  They occupy two floors and the basement and have floor space of 14,000 feet."

 Lloyd V. Tuttle contributed historic photos and information to the Defiance Crescent-News for his column, "A Backward Glance." A rare photo of the Martin establishment with some of its chief members was featured on September 9, 1965.

"THIS PICTURE must have been taken prior to 1888, because the present brick building that stands on the site was built that year.  It is a photo of the original A. Martin and Co. Furniture Store which sold out some years ago and the brick building is now occupied by the Huenefeld store.

The picture shows one of the early stores of Defiance which not only sold furniture, but also engaged in undertaking and sold coffins as was proclaimed by the sign on the front of the one-story frame building.  In those days, many furniture stores did an undertaking business and sold caskets.  Under the Martin name, the store became one of the leading furniture stores of the area.

STANDING in the doorway to the left is Andrew Martin*, father of August W. Martin.  The latter was active as one of Defiance's prominent business men up until a few years ago.  The man in the doorway is Gottlieb Martin, father of Brian Martin, who formerly lived at 840 S. Clinton St., but now lives at 4032 Willys Parkway, Toledo.  The man at the right is John Linhardt, father of the late Walter Linhardt, Defiance jeweler.

Brian Martin submitted the picture." 

*Actually Andrew was Andreas A. W. Martin.  The second A. may have stood for Andrew.  Gottlieb was a cousin and later a partner with August in the business. 

On March 1, 1900, the Defiance Democrat ran these headlines in bold print:

"DEFIANCE STORES BADLY SCORCHED.

FIRE STARTED IN A. MARTIN & CO.'S FURNITURE HOUSE

TOTAL LOSS OF $30,000." 

Apparently a boy reading the gas meter had struck a match to read the meter in the basement of the store.  It was thought he then put the match down while it still had some spark, and that ignited the many combustibles in the basement workshop, including the turpentine, woods, and other materials that quickly spread the flames.  August Martin ran in to retrieve his books and valuable papers from the safe, and when he tried to leave, the draft gave him difficulty in opening the door to escape, but he did make it.  The fire raged up and down the elevator shaft in the building and then spread to neighboring businesses.  In the midst of this, the firefighters dealt with a blinding snowstorm.  The company did rebuild.

In 1906, Andreas Martin died.

Defiance Daily Crescent News - November 22, 1906

I am also posting another obituary that appeared in the Defiance Weekly Express on November 30, 1906.  It adds a bit of extra information.

Andreas was buried in Riverside Cemetery, where later his son, August and other family members would join them.

Gottlieb began a partnership with the Mansfields who eventually bought out the undertaking business.  Eventually August sold his furniture business to an establishment from Indiana.
Gottlieb died on June 3 1920, at age 62.

Defiance Crescent-News - June 3, 1920

August would go on to serve his community in many, many ways in a variety of organizations. He continued his professional life as president and director of several companies, and as a board member for some.

To finish article, scroll back up to text under the photo of August Martin.