WILLIAM ALEXANDER MARTIN. In any growing, active and thriving city one of the most important departments in the community government is that of police chief. It was not so long ago that the mention of the chief of police of a community would bring the thought of a brutal, burly and self-asserted individual, more than often intensely ignorant and at all times basking in the light of self-esteem and extreme egotism. But times have changed with the growing of a national intelligence. The successful police official, and particularly the chief, must be a man of intelligence if not of higher education. He must be able to act promptly in times of danger or public panic, must be cool-headed and deliberate in rendering his decisions, and must be possessed of a high order of moral and physicial courage; yet at the same time be a diplomat, a tactician and an executive that can handle a large body of men in a manner that will keep the machinery of law and justice moving in an orderly and smooth-running manner. Such an official is William A. Martin, who since 1902 has been identified with the police department of New Albany and who has occupied the post of chief since March 19, 1928.

Chief Martin was born on a farm in Floyd County, Indiana, May 20, 1862, and is a son of John A. and Susan (Johnson) Martin. He belongs to one of Indiana's old and honored families, which has resided in the state through five generations, or over a period of more than ninety years. His grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Indiana during the early '40s and settled on a farm in Floyd County, where he developed a good property and was known as a man of high character and sound business integrity, as well as an agriculturist who was far-sighted and progressive in his methods. John A. Martin was born on his father's farm and received a common school education, following which he learned the trade of cooper, and was employed at this occupation until the outbreak of the war between the states, when he enlisted in an Indiana volunteer infantry regiment and fought with gallantry until the close of the struggle. He then returned to his native community and followed his trade and farmed until his demise. Like his father he was held in high esteem and respect and took a good citizen's part in civic affairs. He married Miss Susan Johnson, a native of Indiana, and to this union there were born three children: William A., of this review; and Frank and Ollie, both deceased.

William A. Martin attended the graded schools until he was fifteen years of age, at which time occurred the death of his father, whose life was undoubtedly shortened by the privations and hardships of his military service. Young William, being the eldest child, left school at that time and began to shoulder the burdens and hardships of manhood in assisting in the support of the family. He continued to be engaged in farming for the next eight years, but in 1885, when twenty-three years of age, was attracted by the romance of railroading and took a position with the old Air Line Railway, in the service of which he remained for three years. His next connection was with the K. & I. Terminal Railway, and when he left that road had won promotion to the position of yardmaster. In 1895 he joined the Monon Railway, and won advancement with that line through ability, fidelity and industry until 1900, at which time his railroading career was cut short by a serious injury and for the next two years he was compelled to live retired. Having recovered from his accident, in 1902 he was appointed a patrolman of the New Albany police department, and later was advanced to captain, subsequently passing through higher grades until March 19, 1928, when he was made chief of police, which position he has since held. During the twenty-seven or more years of his service Chief Martin has established an excellent record as a fearless officer and a capable enforcer of law and order. Since assuming the duties of chief he has improved the department in a number of ways, both as to efficiency and strength and as to morale of the men who compose the force. New Albany is a well-policed and law-abiding community, and much of the credit for this desirable state of affairs is due to the energy and executive capacity of Chief Martin. He has established stanch and lasting friendships with the leading business and professional men of the community, who have placed their faith in the protection of the police and who have not been betrayed. The force consists of fifteen men and constitutes one of the best drilled and disciplined bodies of its kind in the state. Chief Martin belongs to the International Association of Police Chiefs; Pythagoras Lodge No. 355, A. F. and A. M.; and the Improved Order of Red Men.

Chief Martin married Miss Mary Cook, a native of Floyd County, and to this union there have been born two daughters: Miss Ollie, a successful business woman of Louisville, Kentucky; and Blanche, the wife of R. M. Sloan, a railroad man of New Albany, who has two children, Ollie and Katherine.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


LOUIS THORN. While Louis Thorn has been a resident of Floyd County for many years and among its most enterprising and substantial citizens, his business interests have been so extensive and widespread as to entitled him to claim identity with the great State of Indiana. For a long period he has been connected with the cement products business in several states and among the largest dealers of the enterprising men whose vigor and energy have made this one of the leading industries of the state. The career of the president and owner of L. Thorn & Company, of New Albany, adds another to the many illustrations which Indiana has furnished to the world of the results which are attained by intelligence, tact and perseverance when applied. to the building up of a business under favoring conditions. It is true that during this period unusual opportunities have opened to businessmen, but they have only yielded the meed of success to those who have had the sagacity to perceive them and the boldness to push them to their best results.

Mr. Thorn was born at Sellersburg, Clark County, Indiana, October 11, 1875, and is a son of Charles and Katharine (Schaffer) Thorn. His grandfather was Frank Thorn, a native of Germany, who immigrated to the United States as a young married man and settled in Indiana,. where he passed the remainder of his life in agricultural operations. Charles Thorn was born in Germany and was a young child when brought by his parents to Indiana, where he was educated in the common schools ,and as a youth took up farming, a vocation in which he was engaged in Clark and Harrison counties during the remainder of his active career. He married Katharine Schaffer, who was born in Harrison County, and they became the parents of four children.

Louis Thorn attended the public schools of Floyd County and was reared on the home farm, but subsequently became interested in the cement business, and for sixteen years was employed by various construction companies in building all manner of structures, including the cantonments at Camps Taylor and Knox during the World war. In 1923 he founded the firm of L. Thorn & Company, of New Albany, of which he has been the owner and active manager to the present. This concern manufactures cement products, including ornamental cement articles and cement blocks, and gives employment to sixteen people, its territory covering the State of Kentucky and the southern part of Indiana. Mr. Thorn enjoys an excellent reputation in business circles as a man of good judgment and high integrity. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the East End Civic Club, and as such takes an active part in all worth-while movements. His modern plant, located at 1319 Vincennes Street, covers about 20,000 square feet of ground, and is equipped with the latest machinery and improvements. Mr. Thorn is an active and influential Republican, but has never sought public honors.

He married Miss Elizabeth Linnert, of Floyd County, Indiana, and they have five children: Charles, a graduate of the New Albany High School and a business college, who is now associated with the Ford Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan, married Marjorie Blackston, and has two children, Aletha and Doris; Roy, a graduate of the New Albany High School, who is associated in business with his father as a member of the firm of L. Thorn & Company; Pearl, also educated at that school and likewise associated with her father; and Willard and Lavena, who are still attending school.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


Deb Murray