Edward L. Martin

Edward Livingston Martin (March 29, 1837 – January 22, 1897) was an American lawyer and politician from Seaford, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family Martin was born in Seaford, Delaware, and attended private schools, Newark Academy, Bolmar's Academy in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Delaware College in Newark. He graduated from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1859.

Professional and political career Martin served as clerk of the Delaware Senate from 1863 to 1865. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1864, 1872, 1876, 1880, and 1884. He studied law at the University of Virginia in 1866, was admitted to the Delaware Bar the same year and practiced in Dover until 1867. He then returned to Seaford and engaged in agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and served as director of the Delaware Board of Agriculture, president of the Peninsula Horticultural Society, and lecturer of the Delaware State Grange.

He was a commissioner to settle the disputed boundary line between the states of Delaware and New Jersey between 1873 and 1875. He was elected as a Democrat to the 46th and 47th Congress, serving from March 4, 1879, to March 4, 1883. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1882 and resumed horticultural and agricultural pursuits. He was twice an unsuccessful candidate for election to the U.S. Senate.

Death and legacy Martin died at Seaford and is buried there in the St. Luke's Episcopal Churchyard.

Almanac Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

+ United States Congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1879–188146thU.S. HouseDemocraticRutherford B. Hayesat-large1881–188347thU.S. HouseRepublicanJames A. GarfieldChester A. Arthurat-large

+ Election results Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %1878U.S. RepresentativeEdward L. MartinDemocratic10,57678%John G. JacksonGreenback2,96622%1880U.S. RepresentativeEdward L. MartinDemocratic14,96651%John W. HoustonRepublican14,33649%