William H. Martin

MARTIN, GRACE, JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Gerischer (email)
Date: 8/11/2007 at 07:50:33

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

WILLIAM H. MARTIN is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the
Bettendorf Manufacturing Company. This is one of the big industries located in the
Davenport district, the plant being at 2527 State Street in Bettendorf, Iowa.
This company has to been in existence as long as some of the older
manufacturing concerns of the district, but it has done much to extend the fame of
Davenport as a manufacturing center.
Mr. Martin was born at Davenport, October 5, 1882, son of Charles Dyer and
Johannan (Grace) Martin. Both parents are deceased. His father was also born
at Davenport, while his mother was born in Louisville, Kentucky. The
grandparents on both sides come from Ireland.

William H. Martin attended parochial schools at Davenport, St. Ambrose
College and graduated A. B. from St. Mary's College at St. Mary's, Kansas. For
several years he was connected with the Red Jacket Pump Company, but in 1910
became one of the founders of the Bettendorf Manufacturing Company. He was
associated with his father and with Charles Schick in organizing the business. He
has had charge of the sales and business management. The vice president of
the company is Mr. J. W. Bettendorf and the president, J. Reed Lane.

The manufactured products of the Bettendorf Manufacturing Company are
Davenport oil engines, Schick baling presses, Midland cigar lighters and Bettendorf
oil burners. The oil machines manufactured are powerful implements, which
have met every test of engineering and practical efficiency and are used not
only all over the United States but in many foreign countries. They have
proved especially adaptable as auxiliary engines for propelling ships in the
fishing fleet on the New England coast.

Perhaps the largest part of the business of the company is the manufacture
of the power baling presses originated and patented by Mr. Schick and known as
the Schick balers. the general line of Schick power balers are extensively
used by business houses, manufacturing establishments and other plants for
the baling of waste paper and many lines of bulky manufactured goods and raw
materials, including hay and straw, clothing, scrap metal. The present plant
of the Bettendorf Manufacturing Company was erected in 1916.

Mr. Martin was married, February 6th, 1929, to Miss Irene Johnson, of
Davenport. He is a member of the Davenport Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and B.
P. O. Elks.