John Ellis Marten was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England on 20 October 1857. By 1861 he was living in Bolton, Lancashire. By the time of the 1881 England Census he was living in Lambeth London and gave as his occupation "Decorative Artist". in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 his occupation was given as "Architect". In the 1911 Census he stated that he was also an "Innkeeper" and that his address was 22 St Mary's Road, Bradford.
At some point he formed a partnership with his brother, William Henry Herbert Marten (1856-1945) who was also an architect, The partnership was dissolved in 1903. Unlike his brother, who was a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA), John Ellis Marten appears not to have qualified as an architect, although it is likely that he was a member of the Bradford Architects and Surveyors' Society. He died in 1932. His death was registered in Brentford, Middlesex