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

Wisconsin Supreme Court The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the Supreme court, highest and final court of appeals in the state judicial system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In addition to hearing appeals of lower Wisconsin court decisions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also ...

Biography

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.

Career

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. He was admitted to the bar in 1903. 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. He was also chairman of the

Democratic Party of Wisconsin The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is currently headed by chair Ben Wikler. Important issues for the state party include support for workers and unions, strong public edu ...

. 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. 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. He was a member of the

Democratic National Committee The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the principal executive leadership board of the United States's Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party. According to the party charter, it has "general responsibility for the affairs of the ...

, the

Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is a global Catholic Church, Catholic Fraternal and service organizations, fraternal service order founded by Michael J. McGivney, Blessed Michael J. McGivney. Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. ...

, the

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), commonly known as the Elks Lodge or simply The Elks, is an American fraternal order and charitable organization founded in 1868 in New York City. Originally established as a social club for m ...

, and the

Lions Clubs International Lions Clubs International, is an international service organization, currently headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. , it had over 46,000 local clubs and more than 1.4 million members (including the youth wing Leo) in more than 200 geographic ...

Personal life and family

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.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Joseph Politicians from Green Bay, Wisconsin Democratic Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court 1878 births 1946 deaths People from Brown County, Wisconsin 20th-century members of the Wisconsin Legislature