Guide to the William Martin Papers, 1866-1933 AIS.2005.06
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
William Martin Papers
Creator
Martin, William
Collection Number
AIS.2005.06
Extent
3.94 Linear Feet(9 boxes)
Date
1866-1933
Abstract
William Martin is largely remembered as an active and influential participant in the labor movement of the late 19th century. This collection relates primarily to his involvement in the labor industry both as an elected union official and private entrepreneur. These records include financial ledgers, union meeting minutes, correspondence, wage scale and labor cost information, travel ledgers, letters of endorsement, newspaper clippings, patent information, and materials of genealogical interest.
Language
English
.
Author
Nathaniel Eddy.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
Born January 7, 1845 in Caulderbank, Scotland, William Martin moved to Pittsburgh in 1870 and is largely remembered as an active and influential participant in the labor movement of the late 19th century. From 1878-1890 Martin served as Secretary of the National Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of the United States. In 1889, he unsuccessfully petitioned Benjamin Harrison, the president elect, for the office of Commissioner of Labor, gathering in the process numerous endorsements from such prominent figures as Andrew Carnegie, United States Senators Mathew Quay and Boies Penrose, and B.F. Jones, President of the American Iron and Steel Association. In 1897 Martin would petition President William McKinley, again unsuccessfully, for the post of Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island.
From 1891-1893, Martin worked at the Carnegie Steel Company where he served as Chief of the Bureau of Labor. During this time Martin collected, sometimes covertly, wage scale and labor cost information related to competitor businesses and mills. This information was subsequently used by the Carnegie Steel Company as a determinant of wage payouts for the workers of the Homestead Mill and contributed to the Homestead Strike of 1892.
Between 1893-1898, Martin was involved with both the McCullough and Martin Manufacturing Company, a business responsible for manufacturing paint and grease products, and with the Olive Varnish Company, a business involved with the manufacturing of varnishes, japans, and lacquers. Both companies occupied space at 61stand Butler Streets in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Martin became co-owner of the McCullough and Martin Manufacturing Company in 1893, then known as Eureka Lubricants, and served as company salesman traveling throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and as far east as New York City. In late 1896, Martin purchased sole rights to the business and changed the name to Martin Manufacturing Company. The company survived two more years, eventually closing in 1898 due to lack of sales.
From 1895-1897 Martin served as a partner with the Olive Varnish Company, a Pittsburgh business responsible for manufacturing varnishes, japans, and lacquers. Much like his role with the McCullough and Martin Manufacturing Company, Martin acted as company salesman, often representing the interests of both companies in his travels.
Martin was also active in the field of invention and submitted to the Patent Office three applications for patent consideration, two of which, a 1906 patent for street car fenders intended to collect stray materials from the tracks and a 1907 patent for street car brakes, were awarded patent recognition.
Prior to his death in 1923, Martin was working as a night manager of Reymer and Brothers, a Fifth Avenue department store in downtown Pittsburgh.
Scope and Content Notes
This collection reflects portions of the life of Pittsburgh resident William Martin and his involvement in the labor movement of the late 19th century as an employee with the International Iron and Steel Roll Hands and as Secretary of Treasurer for the National Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. This collection also contains information related to Martin's involvement with private business, both as Chief of the Bureau of Labor for the Carnegie Steel Company and as an active partner with the Olive Varnish and McCullough and Martin Manufacturing Companies. Included also is business information related to invention and patent acquisition. In addition to Martin's involvement with labor organizations and work in private business, the collection also contains materials related to Martin's attempts to secure coveted government posts at the Federal level.
Arrangement
Additional scope notes are found at the series level. The collection contains six series:
Series I. Labor Unions, 1866-1893
Series II. Chief of the Bureau of Labor, Carnegie Steel Company, 1891-1893, 1900
Series III. McCullough and Martin Manufacturing and the Olive Varnish Companies, 1893-1897
Series IV. Applications for the Office of Commissioner of Labor and the Office of Commissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island, 1889-1890, 1897-1899
Series V. Inventions and Patent Acquisition, 1905-1907
Series VI. Family and Miscellaneous Papers, 1860's-1933
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
The University Library System transferred the papers from the Special Collections Department to the Archives Service Center where they were further processed in 2005.
Custodial History
George F. Martin, Jr., grandson of William Martin, placed the William Martin Papers with the University Library System in 1961.
Previous Citation
William Martin Papers, 1866-1933, AIS.2005.06, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
William Martin Papers, 1866-1933, AIS.2005.06, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Nathaniel Eddy in June 2005.
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Separated Material
Oversize materials are located in Range 1/12/4.
Subjects
Corporate Names
International Rollers, Roughers, Catchers and Hookers of the United States
McCollough and Martin Manufacturing Company
Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of the United States
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