John W. Martin

John Wellborn Martin ( born June 21, 1884 in Plainfield, Florida, † February 22, 1958 in Jacksonville, Florida ) was an American politician and from 1925 to 1929 the 24th Governor of Florida.

Early years and political rise

After school, John Martin studied law and was admitted as a solicitor in 1914. He then practiced in Jacksonville. In 1917, Martin was elected mayor of this city. After two re-election he remained until 1924, in office. In 1924 he was able to prevail in the primaries of the Democratic Party and win the nomination of the party to the top candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. That was tantamount to election victory, as the Republican Party's very weak at that time, and in Florida had no chance.

Governor of Florida

Martin's four-year term began on January 6, 1925. He was fortunate that his tenure coincided with a period of economic boom. During his tenure, the road network of the country has been expanded to meet the increased automobile traffic needs. The governor also strove to improve the school system. So for the lower school classes free textbooks were provided. At the same time, tourism increased in Florida and brought additional revenue. Also, land speculators came to Florida and bought land. Many kingdoms from the north decided to escape the harsh winter there, and built in Florida second homes, to bridge the winter. Also during his tenure an industrial plant was built, could work in the disabled prisoners.

Another Journey

Since the state constitution forbade a direct re-election, Martin competed in 1928 unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Senate. On 8 January 1929, he had handed over to his successor Doyle Carlton his office as governor. In 1932, he tried unsuccessfully to obtain a renewed candidacy for governor. After that, he was curator of the railroad company Florida East Coast Railroad. John Martin died in 1958 in Jacksonville. He was married to Charlotte Wilt Pepper, with whom he had a child.