Martin Hoelle was born in Prussia to John, a blacksmith and Kate (Sievert) Hoelle. Martin Hoelle was educated in his native land, apprenticed as a machinist, and grew to adulthood there. He emigrated to America in 1865 and settled in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he became employed at his trade by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In November 1866 he and Matilda Endress of Altoona were married in town.

In 1870 Hoelle purchased the small brewery named the Old Hickory owned by George Wilhelm. The brewery , which started out as a part time venture, quickly grew to be one of the largest such concerns in that area of Pennsylvania. In 1895 he sold the brewery to a trio of investors. Martin Hoelle died on the 5th of November, 1907 at the age of 67 years.