Born: May 30, 1835, Coleraine, Vermont (the Song Friend says Massachusetts).
Died: April 4, 1912, at his home in Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Rosehill Cemetery & Mausoleum, Chicago, Illinois.
Martin was the son of Arad Towne, a vocal music teacher, and Tryphenia McCloud, and husband of Belle Kellogg.
A doctor, teacher and composer, he belonged to the Continentals singing group. One of his most popular songs was the 1865 Old Abe
the Battle Eagle.