 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2024) |
| Martin Burns | |
|---|---|
 Burns (left) with apprentice Frank Gotch | |
| Born | February 15, 1861 Cedar County, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 1937 (aged 75)[1] Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Amelia Burns (d. 1930) |
| Children | 3 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Martin Burns Farmer Burns |
| Billed weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| Billed from | Springfield Township, Iowa |
| Debut | 1879 |
Martin Burns (February 15, 1861 – January 8, 1937), nicknamed Farmer Burns, was an American catch wrestler, 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 wrestler, he claimed the American Heavyweight Championship by defeating Evan "Strangler" Lewis in 1895 and held the title for two years, during the time when contests were legitimate. At this time, Martin Burns himself claimed to have wrestled in more than 6,000 matches and is said to have lost only seven.[2] 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 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 and Burns was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2017. In 2024 he was inducted into the Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame.
- ^ "Mat's Giant-Killer At 34, Farmer Burns Dies At 76". Classic Wrestling Articles. May 20, 2014.
- ^ The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Martin “Farmer” Burns "Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved March 5, 2009.