John Mason Martin

Who was John Mason Martin?

John Mason Martin was a U.S. Representative from Alabama, son of Joshua Lanier Martin.

Born in Athens, Alabama, Martin attended the common schools, the high school in Green Springs, Alabama, and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He was graduated from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, in 1856. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He served as member of the State senate 1871-1876 and served as president pro tempore 1873-1876. He was professor of equity jurisprudence in the University of Alabama 1875-1886.

Martin was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-ninth Congress. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1886 to the Fiftieth Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Birmingham, Alabama. He died in Bowling Green, Kentucky, June 16, 1898. He was interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.