The following article appeared in the February 13, 1974 edition of the Courier & Freeman, and was written by Susan C. Lyman, Norwood historian:

 

When the Martin Pulp and Paper Company at Yaleville closed its doors in 1956, an era of family operated industries spanning more than three generations came to an end.

 The first of several Martin Enterprises recorded is that of Hollis H. Martin who with his sons, Orrin E., Sidney, Leroy, Charlie and Herbert, were partners in a hub manufacturing business on Mechanic Street, Norwood located on the site now occupied by the Conklin Feed Store. (Note: This was at the corner of Leonard and Mechanic Streets, on the east side of Leonard St.) The factory was twice destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt and business went on as usual but sometime after the fire in October 1876 the company was dissolved.

 Orrin moved to Ogdensburg where he operated his own business, the O.E. Martin Hub Factory on North Water Street for 14 years. He became interested in a new process for making ground wood pulp and returned to Norwood where he purchased land and water power on the north side of the Racquette River from the William Davis estate. Eventually a building for the manufacture of pulp was erected, the first of its kind in the north country. He continued in this business until 1904 when fire destroyed the mill.

 About 1900 Martin interested Charles H. Remington, a Watertown industrialist, in the development of water power in Norfolk and this culminated in the founding of the Remington & Martin Paper Company. The same year, at 8 a.m. Sept. 6, 1900, Martin turned the first sod for the new railroad which would run from a site in Norfolk to the new mill. This railroad later became the Norwood & St. Lawrence.

 Remington & Martin built three mills, one each at Norwood, Norfolk and Raymondville. The Norfolk mill boasted two paper machines made by Bagley & Sewell of Watertown, one of which was said to be the largest and fastest paper machine in the world at the time. Of the three, only the Norfolk mill remains and is now owned and operated by the Simplicity Pattern Company. (Note: In 2008, the owner is APC Paper of New York, a manufacturer of recycled kraft paper, whose main office is in Claremont, NH). The other two mills were torn down long ago by subsequent owners.

 Within a few years he disposed of his interest in the Remington & Martin Company and went to Low, Quebec where he formed and operated the Low Lumber Company until about 1910 when he sold out and returned home to organize the Martin Pulp & Paper Company with his sons, Hollis W., Arthur H. and his daughter, Edith and his wife, Mary. The company erected a modern ground wood pulp mill on the site of the mill which had burned in 1904. The business thrived and in 1922 Bagley & Sewell built machines for a two-machine tissue paper mill, the first paper was made March 17, 1924. A fine quality No. 1 tissue paper used for gift wrap and a white copy crepe paper was produced.

 A little village of houses for the employees sprang up near the mill, while other employees lived in neighboring communities. Following the closing of the mill, the houses were vacated and stood idle for some time but in recent years, one by one they have been purchased to be again used as homes.

Orrin Ellsworth Martin, founder of the Martin Pulp & Paper Co. was born in Westville, Franklin County, Dec. 22, 1847. His only formal education was received n the district school there but a natural ability couples with a lively interest stood him in good stead in the business world.