Constant Martin (politician)

Constant Martin (May 11, 1830–June 16, 1894) was a Belgian-American civil servant. Elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1866, he represented Kewaunee County in the Assembly.[1]

Constant Martin
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Kewaunee County district
In office
1866–1866
Succeeded byDavid Youngs
Personal details
Born(1831-05-11)May 11, 1831
Province of Brabant, Belgium
DiedJune 16, 1894(1894-06-16) (aged 64)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic Party
Spouse(s)Fannie Gillion (m. 1853-1870)
Mary Louisa Rosenberg (m. 1870)

Biography

Martin was born on May 11, 1830 in the Province of Brabant, Belgium.[2] After working as a clerk during his young adult life, Martin immigrated to Philadelphia and started studying English.[2] He married fellow Belgian immigrant Fannie Gillon there in 1853; the couple had their first child in 1855 or 1856.[2] The family moved to Red River, Wisconsin in 1859 and took up residence there.[3]

During his time in Red River, Martin was a land dealer and insurance agent.[2][4] In 1866, he was elected to a one-year term in the Wisconsin State Assembly.[2] He was a Democrat in his political views.[5] Martin was among the first Belgian-Americans from northeastern Wisconsin to make it to the Assembly; the group also included Joseph Wery, Benjamin Fontaine, John B. Eugene and Grégoire Dupont.[1] Martin moved on from elected positions to become a government assessor in 1867, something that tied in well with Martin's previous experience as a prominent real estate dealer in northeastern Wisconsin.[2]

1870 was a pivotal year in Martin's life; his wife had a second child but then perished along with both children later in the year.[2] Also in that year, Martin married New York native Mary Louisa Rosenberg.[2] In his professional life, Martin stepped into new roles as a United States Marshall, postmaster of Red River and town chairman of Red River, a position he held for another four years.[2][1] He was also a local justice for five years and superintendent of Kewaunee County schools for two years in the early 1870s.[2]

In 1874, Martin moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and served on the school board from 1885 to 1892.[2] He died on June 16, 1894 at age 64.[2] Martin is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.[6]

References

  1. Martin, Xavier (1895). Thwaites, Reuben (ed.). The Belgians of Northeast Wisconsin (13th ed.). Madison, WI: Democrat Printing Company. p. 19.
  2. Commemorative biographical record of the counties of Brown, Kewaunee and Door, Wisconsin, and containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families. Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co. 1895. pp. 38, 39. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. "Relief Matters". Green Bay Weekly Gazette. November 11, 1871. Retrieved September 18, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "City Notes". Green Bay Weekly Gazette. August 25, 1877. Retrieved September 18, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Democratic Congressional Convention - Fifth District". The Appleton Crescent. September 22, 1866. Retrieved September 18, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Constant Martin (1830-1894)". Find a Grave. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
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