From New York to Medina, Ohio

Mariano's work on the railroad brought him to Burbank and then Medina, Ohio in 1913. Recognizing that extent of prejudice against Italians in Ohio, he changed his name to Martin.	Martin in Burbank
He bought a second-hand bicycle to explore the area. One day as he was on his bike, a group of girls blocked the road and teased him, not letting him pass. One of these girls was Violet Hutchins, who he married on November 11, 1916.

At that time he worked as an elevator operator at Lowe Manufacturing in Cleveland.
He enjoyed music, played several instruments and he even bought a player piano.

My father, Martin Jr., who was born August 7, 1917, remembers the Edison phonograph the family had, which inspired my father to become a major collector of phonographs. At first they all lived in Cleveland on W. 50th St., but a lot of time was spent at Violet's family's farm outside Medina.
Grandpa always loved boxing, even when he lived in New York, It was a rough neighborhood in Little Italy and he had to learn to defend himself there. He even put boxing gloves on my father, Martin Jr., when he was little.

In April, 1927 the family, now with four growing sons, moved to 421 N. Harmony St. in Medina.
The photo above shows Alfred and Martin Jr.

Andy, Raymond, Alfred, Martin Jr., Violet, Martin and dog (left to right).

After surviving the depression, my three uncles served in the military in WW2,

Violet worked as Rosie the Riveter on building military aircraft and my father worked in a factory that made military parts.

The family gathered at Andy and Ray's place around 1980.
The sons still lined up in order.

Martin and Violet in 1978.