Joshua L. Martin

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Joshua Lanier Martin (December 5, 1799–November 2, 1856) was the Democratic 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, Limestone County, Alabama. He was known as an ardent democrat. Before serving the state of Alabama as its Govornor, he served as a legislator, solicitor, circuit judge, and congressman. He accepted the nomination for Governor of the State in 1845 after a splintering of the democratic party. He defeated 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, during which Andrew Jackson gained much notoriety. 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.