After high school, he moved to Michigan and took classes at Big Rapids Business College, where he also played football.

[3] Martin moved to New York City, and on August 16, 1912, began working for Theodore Roosevelt as a stenographer; because of his size and background in football he was also an unofficial bodyguard for Roosevelt while he was campaigning for President of the United States.

[2] On October 14, 1912, Martin accompanied Theodore Roosevelt to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and found himself in the middle of an assassination attempt on the former president.

When Martin climbed into the vehicle, a man named John Schrank stepped forward and shot Roosevelt.

[8] Martin was married in the summer of 1912; the couple made their home in New York City and had a daughter, later moving to Vermont, Detroit, and Idaho.