1650
Marshall Elevator can trace it's earliest business practices back to Northumberland County, England.  The first Marshall blacksmith shop was located in West Thirston, Northumberland County, England.



1818
On September 9th,1818, John Marshall and his family arrive in Pittsburgh from Felton, Northumberland County, England.  At the time, artisans in iron and steel were not permitted to leave England for the United States, but succeeded in securing passage to America via Quebec, Canada. 

John Marshall immediately opened the Marshall & Son blacksmith shop located on Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh.  Three of Marshall's sons would later take over the business from their father, eventually changing the name to Marshall Brothers.  


                                431 Smithfield Street:  1818 - 1844

Cotton press screws, vices, ornamental iron, wrought iron fencing, wagon wheels, axels, horse shoes, hammer picks, wedges, flanges, river boat components were just some of the early products made at the Smithfield Street shop. 


1844
Marshall & Son relocates to 341 Diamond Street, just one block from the Smithfield Street location in downtown Pittsburgh. 


                                  341 Diamond Street:  1844 - 1903

1845
The great fire of 1845 destroyed two-thirds of Pittsburgh and over 1200 landmarks.  The Diamond Street factory narrowly escaped damage.

1847
Original Marshall & Son sales ledgers dating back to 1847, document early hoisting machines that were sold to various regional businesses.  The lifts typically consisted of large rope wheels up to 5' in diameter with chain welded collars on one end and a loose collar on the other with one or two boxes of pulleys.    

1860
The first Marshall steam powered hosting machine was manufactured.