Afterwards he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1861 and commenced practice in Salem, Illinois; becoming a clerk of the Marion County Court.

During the Civil War Martin served in the Union Army and was commissioned colonel of the 111th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment on September 18, 1862.

He was appointed as United States pension agent by President Grant on April 13, 1869.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election and then became commissioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary at Menard in 1879.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress