William B. Martin
William B. Martin, a well qualified man for the position be fills as chief of the fire department of the city of Steubenville, O., came to this place in 1872 and has been identified witli its interests ever since. He was born at Sistersville, W. Va., in 1853, and was reared there and attended the public schools.
Chief Martin was about nineteen years of age when he reached Steubenville in search of employment, which he found in the key factory. From there he subsequently entered the rolling mills, where he worked for six years, and then received his first appointment as a member of the fire department, of which he was appointed chief on February 17, 1891. His service as such has been continuous for nineteen years, and in point of time he is the oldest chief in the state of Ohio. He has had many serious conflagrations to contend with, and has seen the developmeut of the old fire apparatus into the modern equipment which, under proper management, can be made so serviceable in times of great fire danger, in protecting property and saving life.
In 1877 Mr. Martin was married to Miss Jennie Patton, and they have four children: J. W., who resides at Steubenville; E. M., who is an inspector attached to the city engineer's oflice; Kate, who is the wife of Vernon Smallwood, of Steubenville; and Julia, who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Christian Church at Steubenville, in which he has served as treasurer and trustee.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910