Joshua L. Martin
Encyclopedia
Joshua Lanier Martin was an American
Democratic Party
politician who served as the 12th Governor of the U.S. state
of Alabama
from 1845 to 1847. He was born on 5 December 1799 in Blount County, Tennessee
. He taught school during his young years and studied law in Maryville, Tennessee
; then moved to Alabama in 1819 where he continued his studies. He passed the bar and commenced a law practice in Athens, Alabama
. He was known as an ardent Democrat. Before serving the state of Alabama as its governor, he served as a legislator, solicitor, circuit judge, and congressman. In 1845 he opposed other Democratic leaders and ran as an independent, defeating the mainstream Democratic candidate, and Democrats never forgave him for his action. By doing so, however, he denied the Whig Party any chance it might have had to win the office that year. During his term of office, the state capitol was moved from Tuscaloosa, Alabama
to its current location in Montgomery, Alabama. His term also saw the US declare war on the Republic of Mexico. As governor, Martin saw to the dissolution of the state bank, which he had perceived as crooked. Although he initially ran for reelection in 1847, he withdrew his name from consideration. After his term as governor, he returned to law practice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but did serve one more term in the state legislature in 1853. He never lost an election for public office. Martin died in 1856 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 56.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician who served as the 12th Governor of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
from 1845 to 1847. He was born on 5 December 1799 in Blount County, Tennessee
Blount County, Tennessee
Blount County is a U.S. county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. Its population was 123,010 at the United States Census, 2010. The county seat is at Maryville, which is also the county's largest city....
. He taught school during his young years and studied law in Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville, Tennessee
Maryville is the county seat of Blount County, Tennessee, in the Southeastern United States. The city is located south of Knoxville. Maryville's population was 27,258 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. Maryville has received a number of accolades for its...
; then moved to Alabama in 1819 where he continued his studies. He passed the bar and commenced a law practice in Athens, Alabama
Athens, Alabama
Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 18,967. According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimates, the city had a population of 24,234...
. He was known as an ardent Democrat. Before serving the state of Alabama as its governor, he served as a legislator, solicitor, circuit judge, and congressman. In 1845 he opposed other Democratic leaders and ran as an independent, defeating the mainstream Democratic candidate, and Democrats never forgave him for his action. By doing so, however, he denied the Whig Party any chance it might have had to win the office that year. During his term of office, the state capitol was moved from Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama . Located on the Black Warrior River, it is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of 90,468 in 2010...
to its current location in Montgomery, Alabama. His term also saw the US declare war on the Republic of Mexico. As governor, Martin saw to the dissolution of the state bank, which he had perceived as crooked. Although he initially ran for reelection in 1847, he withdrew his name from consideration. After his term as governor, he returned to law practice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but did serve one more term in the state legislature in 1853. He never lost an election for public office. Martin died in 1856 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the age of 56.