Martin was born in Buenos Aires, but subsequntly the family returned to their old home in Garzeno, Italy. Martin landed in the USA in April 1911, a few days before his 17th birthday (the ship's record incorrectly shows that he was 18 years old), along with Domenico Matteri, the husband of Martin's cousin, Vergine Mazzucchi. They said they were going to Portland, Oregon to see a friend, Bernardo Gobbi. It is not known how Martin ended up in Marin County, California.