Morgan Lewis Martin


Morgan Lewis Martin was a delegate to the United States Congress from Wisconsin Territory from 1845 to 1847. He also served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly, and served as a County Judge in Brown County, Wisconsin.

Career

He was born in Martinsburg, New York, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1824. Martin then moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1826, and studied law, and became an attorney. In May 1827, Martin moved to what is now Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the advice of his cousin, James Duane Doty, to practice law. He formed a partnership with Solomon Juneau and owned much of the land that later became Milwaukee, but sold his share in 1836.

Territorial government

Martin served in the Michigan Territorial Council from 1831 to 1835. At the time, the land that would become Wisconsin was a part of the Michigan Territory. He served in the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature from 1838 to 1844, and served as President of the Territorial Council in 1843. He also served as President at the second Wisconsin Constitutional Convention.
Martin was elected on the Democratic Party ticket to the Twenty-ninth Congress as a non-voting member to represent the Wisconsin Territory, serving from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847.

Wisconsin political career

Martin was a candidate for Governor at the 1848 Wisconsin Democratic Party Convention prior to the state's first gubernatorial election. At the time, the party was split between a faction representing the lead-mining regions of the state, supporting Hiram Barber, and a faction of the eastern counties, supporting Martin. The deadlock between the two factions resulted in a compromise pick—Nelson Dewey.
Martin served in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1855 and 1872, and served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1858 to 1859.

Later years

During the Civil War he served as an army paymaster, attaining the rank of major. In 1875, he became Brown County court judge, serving until his death. Martin was also involved in the banking and railroad business. He died in Green Bay, Wisconsin where he had lived and practiced law, and was buried there.

Legacy

Martin has a school named after him in Green Bay, Morgan L. Martin Elementary School. His home, known as Hazelwood, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.