Morgan Lewis Martin

Morgan Lewis Martin (March 31, 1805 – December 10, 1887) was an American lawyer, land speculator, Democratic politician, and one of Wisconsin's founding fathers. He was one of the first lawyers in what is now Wisconsin. He represented the Wisconsin Territory as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives during the 29th Congress (1845–1847). He was also president of the constitutional convention that crafted the Constitution of Wisconsin in the winter of 1847–1848, and served in the Council (upper legislative chamber) of the Wisconsin Territory from 1838 to 1844, representing Brown County.

Morgan L. Martin
Oil on canvas portrait by Samuel Marsden Brookes, c.1856
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 2nd district
In office January 4, 1858 – January 2, 1860
Preceded by	Perry H. Smith
Succeeded by	Edward Decker
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 5, 1874 – January 4, 1875
Preceded by	Joseph S. Curtis
Succeeded by	Thomas R. Hudd
Constituency	Brown 1st district
In office January 1, 1855 – January 7, 1856
Preceded by	Francis X. Desnoyers
Succeeded by	John Day
Constituency	Brown–Door–Kewaunee district
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Wisconsin Territory's at-large district
In office March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	Henry Dodge
Succeeded by	John H. Tweedy
President of the Council of the Wisconsin Territory
In office March 18, 1843 – December 4, 1843
Preceded by	Moses M. Strong
Succeeded by	Marshall Strong
Personal details
Born	Morgan Lewis Martin (1805-03-31)March 31, 1805 Martinsburg, New York, U.S.
Died	December 10, 1887(1887-12-10) (aged 82) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elizabeth Smith ​ ​ (m. 1837⁠–⁠1887)​
Children	6
Education	Hamilton College, New York (BA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Major, USA
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Martin arrived in the area that is now Wisconsin before the Wisconsin Territory was created, when it was still part of the Michigan Territory; he also served in the Michigan Territory legislature in the 1830s. During those early years, he was also instrumental in the development of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he was a financial partner to Solomon Juneau in his original land claims in what is now Milwaukee, he sketched one of the first maps of the area, assisted Juneau in platting the original Milwaukee village, and assisted in constructing several of the first buildings.

After Wisconsin achieved statehood, he served two years each in the Wisconsin Senate (1858 & 1859) and State Assembly (1855 & 1874). He also served as a Union Army paymaster and U.S. Indian Agent during the 1860s, and served as vice president of the Wisconsin Historical Society and probate judge for Brown County in the last decade of his life.

Early life and career

He was born in Martinsburg, New York,^[1][2] and graduated from Hamilton College in 1824.^[1][2] 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,^[1][2] 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.^[2]

Wisconsin political career

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 as a non-voting member to represent the Wisconsin Territory in the Twenty-ninth Congress, with 6,803 votes to 5,787 for Whig James Collins and 790 for Edward D. Holton of the Liberty Party.^[3] He would serve from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847.

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.^[4]

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, with the rank of major.^[2] In 1875, he became county judge (probate judge) of Brown County, serving until his death.^[1] Martin was also involved in the banking and railroad business. He died in Green Bay, Wisconsin,^[1] where he had lived and practiced law, and was buried there.^[5]

Legacy

Martin has a school named after him in Green Bay, Morgan L. Martin Elementary School.^[6] His home, known as Hazelwood, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A Westside neighborhood in Milwaukee is also named after him.