Robert Martin

Whether you wanted to move a few items or a whole house full of furniture, Martin Transfer Company was the business many people sought to help them. Even when Robert Martin had to drop out of school after his father died to help his mother raise his younger brothers and sisters, he never lost his dream of being a black entrepreneur with his own business.

Martin tried to continue his schooling while working as a janitor/dishwasher, but it was too difficult to maintain his studies and shoulder the responsibility of a job. The summer of 1935 was his first experience working with William Rankin, who owned a moving company. After the 1937 flood, Martin started working at Wiggins on Piedmont Road and worked there until 1942 when he was drafted into the Army. He completed his tour of duty in Germany, received an honorable discharge and returned to Huntington in 1946. There were very few jobs available at that time, so he went back to work with Rankin.

Working days with his pick-up truck and nights as a janitor for Anderson Newcomb, Martin took what little money he had and bought the rights for a transfer company. On November 29, 1955, Martin opened his moving and storage company, Martin Transfer Company. Without financial backing from any local bank, he had to take out high-interest loans, but he and a few of his closest friends set out to prove that any man can earn a good living with hard work and determination.

Martin took local jobs moving offices, freight, goods and houses of furniture. Martin Transfer Company was truly a family business. Family members answered phones, booked appointments, helped with payroll, moved small items and unloaded freight cars.

Martin worked hard to treat every person, customer and worker with respect and dignity. His sons labeled him a “confirmed workaholic” and were grateful that their father surrounded himself with positive people and instilled in them a strong work ethic.

Martin also was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church for more than 50 years and was a Cabell County precinct commissioner.