Martin was a coal miner who lived most his life on the homestead in Carroll Township and in Carrolltown, Pa. He died at the age of 41 "after a long illness resulting from a fall he received [in October, 1904] while at work in Rome, N.Y." The cause of his demise was Bright's Disease.

Martin’s Will on September 17, 1904, provided that the use of two rooms in his house was bequeathed to his mother, along with use of the garden, potato patch and the pasture for one cow. His Carroll Township farm was bequeathed to his brother Anselm, who was also nominated to be executor. A sum of $100 was set aside for Masses and funeral expenses. The residue was to be given to his other siblings in equal shares, except that Anthony was not listed.