Martin Brothers Implement Co. opened for business in 1926 when Sam F. Martin signed his first John Deere contract. The business started in his farm home with the parts department on the basement steps and bookkeeping handled on his kitchen table. By 1941, the business had grown enough that a new building was erected to house the dealership. Early in his career, Sam had a full rail car of tractors shipped to him directly from the factory, which was almost unheard of in the 1920's, and was the first such carload shipped in the state of Illinois.

The business continued to grow and diversify under the direction of Sam's sons Lewis, Bob, John, Eugene, and Wayne. Besides selling John Deere equipment, the brothers stocked and sold Jeep vehicles, GMC trucks, Case construction equipment, and General Electric appliances. On the dealership grounds, they also operated a grain elevator to dry and store customers' grain, a fertilizer plant to manufacture and distribute various forms of nitrogen fertilizers, and a cattle feedlot.

Lewis Sr. purchased the John Deere dealership and fertilizer operation from his brothers in the 70's. Bob built a John Deere construction dealership in Goodfield, Il. and has added 12 more locations throughout Illinois, Iowa & Missouri. John, Eugene, and Wayne moved to Bloomington, Il where John started a Chevrolet car dealership, Eugene opened a financial lending business, and Wayne developed a new collection agency.

In 1981, Lewis Jr. purchased Martin Brothers Implement Co. from his father. Lewis Jr. grew Martin Brothers into a multi-dealership organization with the addition of Martin Implement Co., Lexington, Il. in 1989, Martin & Sullivan Farm Equipment Co., Carthage, Il. in 1990, and Martin & Kroencke Implement Co., Quincy, Il. in 1994. The fertilizer plant was sold locally to Studer Fertilzer in 1994, and is still located across from the dealership.

Lewis Jr. owned and managed Martin Brothers until 1995 when he sold the dealership organization to Gary & Karen Rogers, Ben Rogers (Lewis Sr.'s grandson) and Matt Aeschleman ( Lewis Sr's Grandson). The fourth generation now owns and manages Martin Brothers Implement Co. and the other Martin locations. Another location, Martin & Kroencke Co., Pleasant Hill, IL was added in 1995.

Due to John Deere's Huge commitment to the lawn and garden business in the commercial and homeowner sectors, Martins added the sixth location, Martin Brothers Outdoor Power, Bloomington, IL in 2004.  It's personnel are dedicated to providing product, parts and service to the commercial lawn mowing businesses, government/municipal agencies, large property owners, and homeowners.