These pictures are of the Martin & Brown Ice House that was owned and operated by Leamon W. Martin and Hugh Brown which eventually was run by Albert J. (also known as Birdie), Harry and Hugh H. Martin thus the name changed from Martin and Brown to the Martin Brothers Spring Ice Company. They were located at what was known as Shady Cove up Wills Creek. The ice wagons were yellow as each company had their own color. The photos and articles were contributed by Sue Guy, the great granddaughter of Albert J. Martin.
This poem appeared in the Steubenville Herald Star--date unknown, but previous to the construction of the Rt. 22 Bypass that was responsible for tearing down the Martin Home.
MEMORIES
by Alice Swickard of Richmond, Ohio
The old Martin home
Stood against the hill
It's seen much living
And it stands there still
But not for long
Will it be there
The new road will take it
For the new thoroughfare
Our mom and dad
Was a wonderful pair
They are both gone now
To heaven up there
Up the bend
At the hold in the creek
Found us kids swimming
Every day of the week
Up to the hill top
We'd pull our sled
Then down we'd fly
Past the barn and the shed
The old ice pond was a place
Where we'd all congregate
Laughing and shouting
As we learned to skate
Down by the ice house
There was a grove
Where our reunions were held
It was called Shady Cove
We went to church
Three miles away
Sometimes in the surrey
Sometimes in the sleigh
And then much later
We went by car
T'was a Model T Ford
And it didn't seem so far
We walked to school
Two miles away
Some days it was rainy and cold
Some times a warm sunny day
Old Oak Grove
Was a one room school
Where we learned to read and write
And learned the Golden Rule
The big Christmas tree
That stood by the door
With bright shining tinsel
And packages galore
When I was sixteen
As I came down the stair
My new victrola was playing
"Pretty Bubbles in the Air"
There were sad times too
When sister Rhoda died
There was an accident
She went with God to abide
Eight months later
Baby Lois came to stay
But just a year later
She too passed away
It's sixty years now
Since I left home
These memories flash back
As I sit alone
Memories, memories
Some happy and some sad
I try to forget the sad ones
And remember the glad
Receipt signed by Albert J. Martin to Mrs. Bannon for coal payment dated 20 Dec 1918