Genealogy Blog
Lucien Brockunier Martin
The Fostoria Glass Years

The other day I received an E-Mail from Ancestry.com regarding a new feature they had, and in checking it out I ended up thinking about my great-grandfather, Lucien Brockunier Martin. Lucien was born in 1853 and was the 19th child of Ebenezer Martin of Martins Ferry, Ohio. How Lucien came by his middle name will always intrigue me and will never, I am sure, be discovered. There is no family connection that I can determine between the Martin's and the Brockunier family. Lucien did work for the Hobbs, Brockunier Glass Company of Wheeling, WV and, along with William S. Brady and others, moved to Fostoria, Ohio to start up the Fostoria Glass Company in 1887.

Old postcard with a picture of the factory.



At a meeting February 1, 1888 in Fostoria, Ohio, the following were elected as directors of the new Fostoria Glass Company. W.S. Brady, Otto Jeager, L.B. Martin, Charles Foster and Charles E. Beam. Lucien B. Martin was elected president of the firm. The largest holder of stock was Sarah Zane (Hildreth) Brady (Mrs. W.S.) whose brother, B.M. Hildreth, was the Sales Manager.

Interesting genealogical note - Sarah Zane (Hildreth) Brady was Lucien's second cousin.

When the glass supply diminished in Fostoria, the company closed its doors (December 31, 1891) and moved to Moundsville, WV. They, of course, retained the name "Fostoria" and most of the workers moved with the company.Unfortunately, I only have Lucien's wife - Mary Emma (Lewis) Martin's diaries from 1900. It would have been interesting to read more about their years in Fostoria and Moundsville.

A Young Mary Emma (Lewis) Martin

Lucien B. Martin, his wife Mary & Phil Martin

at Home in Glendale, West Virginia

William Brady resigned from the Fostoria in 1900 but retained a financial interest. Lucien followed in 1901.

Mary's diary entry on March 1, 1901 -

Lucien home from Pittsburgh, he came early in the afternoon and went to factory. He says "I've gone & done it & if not for best you and Phil are to blame for it & if good follows, I did it!"

The Martin's, including their son Phil are off to Pittsburgh, Pa. The subject of the next blog being the National Glass years.

To read Mary's diary from 1901:
1901

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