Joseph Martin

Joseph Francis Martin (May 12, 1878 – March 19, 1946) was an American lawyer, jurist, and Democratic politician from Green Bay, Wisconsin. He served 11 years as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, from 1935 until his death in 1946. He previously served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Brown County during the 1903–1904 session, and served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in the 1910s and 1930s.

His nephew and law partner, John E. Martin, would go on to serve as the 16th chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

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 appointed a justice of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court on December 31, 1934, by Governor Albert G. Schmedeman, who was a close friend.

Personal life and family Joseph Martin was the 9th of at least 10 children born to Edward Martin (1836–1914) and his wife Bridgette ( Farrell; 1842–1916). His parents were Irish American immigrants who had arrived in Wisconsin in the 1850s, and were pioneers of the town of Rockland in Brown County.

Joseph Martin married Mildred Eleanor Wright on October 5, 1904. They resided 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.