John Martin
John Martin was Provost of Milngavie from 1903-1906. John Martin was born in Fermanagh, Ireland in 1847 but was brought over as an infant by his parents to live in Milngavie. As a young man he was employed at the paper mill, but later established himself as a local merchant, when he took over the business of a deceased uncle, Patrick McGuire. He later became well known as a local grocer and also owned a public house, the Allander Bar (which became known as "Martin's Pub"). He was elected to the Town Council in 1888 and he became associated with public health issues. During his period as Provost a new local system of drainage was inaugurated, with septic tanks and filtration beds installed for the purification of sewage. The new Sewage Disposal Works was opened in 1906. Mr Martin was an active member of St Joseph's R.C. Congregation.