Eben Martin

Martin was born in Maquoketa, Iowa. He attended the public schools of his hometown, and in 1879 he graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He studied at the University of Michigan Law School in 1879 and 1880, was admitted to the bar in 1880 and commenced practice in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. He served in the Territory's House of Representatives in 1884 and 1885, and was president of Deadwood's board of education from 1886 to 1900.

In 1900, Martin was elected as a Republican to Seat B, one of South Dakota's two at-large seats in the United States House of Representatives. he was reelected in 1902 and 1904, and served from March 4, 1901 to March 3, 1907. He ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate in 1906.

After the death of William H. Parker, Martin won a special election to fill the Seat B vacancy in the U.S. House, and was re-elected to three more terms, serving from November 3, 1908 to March 3, 1915. As a result of the 1910 census South Dakota was apportioned three House members and created three districts. In Martin's 1912 reelection he ran successfully for the 3rd District seat. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1914.

After leaving Congress, Martin practiced law in Hot Springs, South Dakota. He died in Hot Springs on May 22, 1932 and was buried in that city's Evergreen Cemetery.

Martin is the namesake of the city of Martin, South Dakota.[1]

• United States Congress. "Eben Martin (id: M000176)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• "Eben Martin". Find a Grave. Retrieved September 3, 2010.