Francis W. Martin Explained

Francis W. Martin
Birth Date:3 October 1878
Birth Place:Watervliet, New York
Death Place:The Bronx, New York City
Restingplace:Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York)
Office:Bronx County District Attorney
Successor:Edward J. Glennon
Term Start:January 1, 1914
Term End:December 31, 1920
Predecessor:none
Nationality:American
Party:Democratic Party
Alma Mater:New York Law School
Occupation:lawyer, district attorney, judge
Spouse:Edith Rowan Martin
Children:Edith Martin Burke, Francis W. Martin Jr.
Parents:Dennis Martin and Catherine Martin née Keegan
Known For:Inaugural District Attorney of Bronx County

Francis W. Martin (October 3, 1878  - June 1, 1947) was the first ever district attorney in Bronx County, New York, United States, and a judge on the New York Supreme Court from 1921 until his death.[1]

Personal life and early career

Martin was born on October 3, 1878, to Dennis Martin and Catherine Martin née Keegan in Watervliet, New York, and grew up there. He graduated from New York Law School in 1902, and the following year moved to 2150 University Avenue in the Bronx, where he lived the remainder of his life. In 1905 he became an assistant corporation counsel for the New York City Law Department, and compiled such a good record in legal cases that when the Bronx was made a county, he received the backing of several bar groups, and more importantly, the Democratic party in the Bronx, for the office of Bronx County District Attorney. In the first election for county-wide positions in the Bronx on November 4, 1913, he won the district attorney election,[2] and took office on January 1, 1914[3] the date the Bronx became a county. His initial salary was $10,000 per year.[4]

District attorney

Martin's record as district attorney was that of aggressive law enforcement, most notably against organized crime.[1] In 1920, he stepped down from the district attorney's office to run for a seat as a judge on the New York State Supreme Court, and won.[5] [6] In 1923, he was named to the Appellate Division by Governor Al Smith,[7] and in 1934 he was re-elected as a justice.[8] In 1935, he was appointed as presiding justice of the Appellate Division by Governor Herbert H. Lehman.[9] [10] Martin also served as a state delegate to the New York Constitutional Conventions of 1915 and 1938.[1]

Death

Martin died unexpectedly at home on June 1, 1947,[1] and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Francis Martin, Jurist, Dies at 68 – Presiding Justice of Appellate Division Since 1935, Member of State Court 26 Years – Named to Unit by Smith – District Attorney in the Bronx from 1913 to 1920, Making High Record of Convictions. 17 May 2016. New York Times. June 2, 1947. 25.
  2. News: Not One Seat In Board Of Estimate Saved to Tammany — Fusion Alderman Also — McAneny and Prendergast In Safely with Other Fusion Borough Heads — Close in New York County — With Just a Possibility at Midnight That Murphy May Save It — Neck and Neck in Bronx — Matthewson, (Rep.,) May Have Beaten Tammany and Third Ticket Up There — Queens Easy for Connolly — Brooklyn Gave Fusion 54,808 Plurality — Republicans Carry County — Prendergast's Vote Cut. 19 December 2016. The New York Times. November 5, 1913. 1.
  3. News: Bronx Officials Appoint – Nearly Every Place Getter on City or State Payroll Now. 15 May 2016. The New York Times. December 31, 1913. 2.
  4. . The City Record – Official Journal of the City of New York. September 1914. XLII. IX. 7451. The City Record. M.B. Brown Printing & Binding. New York, N.Y.. 15 May 2016.
  5. News: The City Vote — Hylan's Plurality 417,986 – Craig's 249,252 – Banton's 83,680. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. November 10, 1921. 4.
  6. News: Names Talley Judge Of General Sessions – Governor Smith Also Appoints Edward J. Glennon Bronx District Attorney – G.W. Martin County Judge – All the Appointees Allied With Tammany Hall – Talley's Selection Not Expected. 15 May 2016. The New York Times. December 29, 1920. 16.
  7. News: Governor Begins Hearings On Bills – Listens to Arguments on Measure Taxing Premiums on Insurance in Foreign Companies – Takes Up Lusk Laws Today – Act Extending Tax Exemption to Three-Story Dwellings for a Year Approved by Smith. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. May 22, 1923. 21.
  8. News: Kadien Defeats Strong For Bench – Democrat Elected a Supreme Court Justice in Second District Contest – O'Brien and Church Lead – Have Margin Over Republicans in the First District – Others Unopposed. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. November 7, 1934. 10.
  9. News: F.W. Martin Installation Today. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. January 2, 1935. 15.
  10. News: Martin Inducted As Head Of Court – Appellate Bench's Presiding Justice Praised by Miller, Seabury, Colby and Others – 500 View The Ceremony – Appointee, Citing His Division's Swift Work, Laments Other Tribunals' Congestion. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. January 3, 1935. 10.
  11. News: Mayor And Jurists At Martin Funeral – Bishop J. P. Donahue Presides at Mass – 1,200 Hear Rites in St. Vincent Ferrer's. 17 May 2016. The New York Times. June 5, 1947. 25.

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