Background
He was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the son of Alexander McNaughton Marshall, of Scottish descent.
He was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the son of Alexander McNaughton Marshall, of Scottish descent.
In 1837, he moved with his family to Chatham, New Brunswick and was educated there.
He represented the City of Saint John in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1876 to 1882 as a Liberal member. Marshall became an accountant and clerk for a lumber firm at Miramichi, later moving to Saint John, where he was an accountant for the Intercolonial Railway. In 1866, he established an insurance agency at Satin John.
Marshall also served as a notary public and magistrate for the city and county.
He was a commissioner for the General Public Hospital at Saint John and a lieutenant in the local militia. Marshall was also a prominent member in the local Masonic lodge and a Grand Master for the province.
He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial assembly in 1874 but was elected in an 1876 by-election held after the death of William H.A. Keans. He was named to the province"s Executive Council as a minister without portfolio in December 1879.