Martin was born in March of 1888 as the son of Ludwig and Margaret (Martin) Koepplin in South Russia. In 1902 at the age of 15, he came with his parents to Hosmer, South Dakota. In 1903 his parents came to homestead east of Elgin, North Dakota and in 1909 Martin filed on his own homestead north of Elgin. He had received his early education in South Russia, and he had no education in this country. Most of what he knew he tought himself. Besides teaching himself he has relied on the Bible as a source of information as well as a source if inspiration. Travel in the early days was long and tiring. Glen Ullin was the only town in the territory at that time. It took about 10 days to make a round trip from Glen Ullin to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation southeast of Lemmon. He spent an entire lifetime farming, from the age of six to age 56. After 51 years of farming he moved to town. It took him five years to sell everything so he and his wife could move to town. He married Eva Heyne in March 1910 at Elgin on Easter Monday, they were married 58 years. They lived on the homestead north of Elgin until 1915 when they moved to a farm south of Elgin. In 1961 they retired and moved into Elgin where he has continued to make his home. Martin was a charter member of Zion American Lutheran Church and served as a deacon for 16 years. He also served as parade marshal for the Elgin Days parade on many occasions. On March 21, 1984 Martin turned 96, which made him one of the oldest settlers in Grant County. He received the Dakota Territory Centennial Homesteaders award, 1861 to 1961, for being an original settler of the Dakota Territory. He died at his home in Elgin on Monday morning of July 16th. Funeral services were held at Zion American Lutheran Church on Friday, July 20th at 10:30am, with Rev. Donald Schumacher officiating. Burial was at the American Lutheran Cemetery in Elgin. From: Grant County News July 16, 1984