Martin Burns nickname(s):
Farmer Burns
Martin Burns date of birth:
February 15, 1861
How old was Martin Burns when died?
75
Where was Martin Burns born?
Cedar County, Iowa, United States
When did Martin Burns die?
January 8, 1937
How tall is Martin Burns?
5' 7" (170 cm)
How much does Martin Burns weigh?
176 lbs (79.8 kg)
Martin Burns body shape:
Athletic
What is Martin Burns nationality?
American
What is Martin Burns's occupation?
Wrestler
Short Biography
Martin "Farmer" Burns (February 15, 1861 – January 8, 1937) was an American world champion "catch-as-catch-can" wrestler as well as wrestling coach and teacher. Born in Cedar County, Iowa he started wrestling as a teenager and made money traveling around the Midwest wrestling in carnivals and fairs. As a professional he claimed the American Heavyweight Championship by defeating Evan "Strangler" Lewis in 1895 and held the title for two years. Martin Burns himself claimed to have wrestled in more than 6, 000 matches and is said to have lost only seven. This was during the time when professional wrestling was a legitimate sport. After the end of his active wrestling career he started a successful wrestling school in Omaha and later coached Cedar Rapids' Washington high school to the very first Iowa high school state wrestling tournament title. He died in Council Bluffs in 1937. In 2001 Martin "Farmer" Burns was inducted into the International Wrestling Institute and Museum Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2002. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Martin Burns in 2003.