Background
Martin was born in Arnaudville in Saint Landry Parish to Doctor G.W. Martin and the former Ida Gilbeau.
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Wade Omer Martin
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended public schools and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Career
After Long"s assassination, Martin attempted to run for governor in 1935 but was unable to mount a serious campaign. He organized the Louisiana State University Dramatic Club, edited the yearbook, the Gumbo, and was assistant editor of the student newspaper, the Reveille. He worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and was later a teacher and a coach.
He also managed a large plantation and operated a sawmill.
In 1912, at the age of twenty-seven, he was elected sheriff of Saint Martin Parish. He served two terms until 1920.
He was elected again for two terms in 1924 and 1928, when he also supported Huey Long for governor. As sheriff, Martin hired Drauzin Angelle as chief deputy, a position that Angelle held from 1924 until his death in 1958.
Angelle became a political power broker in Saint Martin Parish through the chief deputy"s position.
Martin left the sheriff"s office when he was elected to the rate-fixing Christian Social Party, while simultaneously as vice president and then president of the National Association of Railway and Utilities Commission (1942–1944). He was known for his interest in flood control and was chairman of Louisiana Flood Control and Waterway Conservation from 1930 until his death. He was also an officer of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association.
He was chairman of the National Commission on Use of Waterways and the Vermilion Navigation Association.
He supported the dredging of the Intracoastal Canal for Louisiana and Texas. After Martin, Senior"s, death, Earl Long quarrelled with Martin, Junior., a conservative, and, with legislative concurrence, removed the voting machine and insurance sections of the secretary of state"s office to separate departments.
On April 24, 1907, Martin married the former Alice Mills, the daughter of Patrick Mills and the former Justine Fanguy. The couple had two sons, Wade O. Martin, Junior., and Doctor Murphy Martin (born 1914), the public health officer for Saint Martin, Iberia, and Lafayette parishes.
First-born daughter Leona Martin of Saint Martinville (January 31, 1908 - October 26, 2000) was married to James East. Guirard (also born 1908), and Jeanne Martin of Baton Rouge (August 17, 1915 - October 23, 2002) was the wife of Douglass Svendson (1908–1963).
On Martin"s death, Governor Earl Kemp Long appointed East. P. Roy, Senior, as the interim commissioner. Then former state Senator Ernest South. Clements of Oberlin in Allen Parish was elected to the first of his three terms on the Christian Social Party in the 1956 Democratic primary.
Membership
Martin"s longest tenure was as the former District 2 member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, having served for twenty-four years, beginning with his election in 1932 and until his death.
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Born
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Died
August 10, 1956 (aged 71) -
Nationality
United States -
Religion
Catholic Church -
Political Party
Democratic party