Martin was the youngest of 7 children born to Christopher and Hannah. Note that Christopher had 11 children by previous wife Rebecca Palmer, and Hannah had 4 children by previous husband Greenwood Carpenter, making Martin the youngest of 22 children. (History and Bio. of Lenawee County
at 479).

In approx. 1814, Martin and his mother (then a widow) moved from Saratoga to Cato, Cayuga County. In 1828, he moved to Oswego County, where he remained un til 1847, when he was 36 years old. During this time he worked at "common la bor, "working many days for three shillings." He finally "got possession" of a farm. In 1847, Martin moved to Michigan, and purchased a farm one mile south of
the village of Hudson. He remained there about four years. In about 1851, Martin sold the farm and moved to the village of Hudson. In 1867, Martin formed a partnership with John M. Osborn and W.B. Ames and began a banking b usiness under the name Osborn, Perkins & County. The firm was known as Perkins, Thompson & County by 1879.