Joseph Martin (Wisconsin politician)

Joseph F. Martin (May 12, 1878 – March 19, 1946) was a lawyer and politician, and was a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The Honorable
Joseph F. Martin
Martin circa 1940
Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
In office
January 1, 1935 – March 19, 1946
Appointed byAlbert G. Schmedeman
Preceded byTheodore G. Lewis
Succeeded byJames Ward Rector
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Brown 2nd district
In office
January 14, 1903 – January 11, 1905
Preceded byMichael J. Flaherty
Succeeded byMaurice B. Brennan
Personal details
Born
Joseph F. Martin

(1878-05-12)May 12, 1878
Rockland, Wisconsin
DiedMarch 19, 1946(1946-03-19) (aged 67)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Resting placeAllouez Catholic Cemetery and Chapel Mausoleum
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMildred Eleanor Wright
ChildrenMildred (Delaney)
Jean (Lefebvre)
Florence
1 other daughter (died young)
Parents
  • Edward Martin (father)
  • Bridget (Farrell) Martin (mother)
RelativesPatrick Henry Martin (brother)
John F. Martin (brother)
John E. Martin (nephew)
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
Notre Dame Law School

Biography

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Martin was born in Rockland, Wisconsin, one of ten children of Edward and Bridget Martin. He graduated from West De Pere High School in 1897.[1][2]

Career

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Martin studied law at a law firm run by John Wigman and his holder brother, Patrick H. Martin, and at the University of Wisconsin, though he never graduated.[3][1] He was admitted to the bar in 1903.[1] He was active in civic affairs and was a member of the local school board. Martin served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly after winning election in 1902. At age 24, he was the youngest person to have served in the Assembly at that time.

After the Assembly, he returned to law practice with his brothers John F. Martin and Patrick, and later with his nephew, John E. Martin, who would later go on to become Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He would serve on the Brown County Board of Education, and was President of the board at the time he was appointed to the Supreme Court.[1]

He was appointed a justice of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court on December 31, 1934, by Governor Albert G. Schmedeman, who was a close friend.[3] He would win election to a full ten-year term on the court in 1937, soundly defeating attorneys Glenn P. Turner and Fred M. Wylie. He remained on the court until his death in 1946.[3]

He was a member of the Democratic National Committee, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Lions Clubs International.[3][4]

Personal life and family

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Joseph Martin married Mildred Eleanor Wright on October 5, 1904. They lived in Green Bay and had four daughters, three of whom survived to adulthood.

He died of a heart attack in Green Bay on March 19, 1946.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Heart Attack is Fatal to Martin". Waukesha Daily Freeman. March 19, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved April 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Martin, J".
  3. ^ a b c d "Joseph Martin (1878-1946)". Wisconsin Courts System. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "Wisconsin Court System - Joseph Martin". Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
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Political offices
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Brown 2nd district
1903 – 1905
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
1935 – 1946
Succeeded by