John Donelson Martin, Sr.

John Donelson Martin, Sr. (May 4, 1883 – April 2, 1962) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Martin received an LL.B. from the University of Virginia in 1905. He was in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee from 1905 to 1935.

On April 22, 1935, Martin was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee vacated by Harry B. Anderson. Martin was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 30, 1935, and received his commission on May 3, 1935.

On August 12, 1940, Roosevelt nominated Martin for elevation to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit created by 54 Stat. 219. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 27, 1940, and received his commission on September 4, 1940. He served as chief judge in 1959, and served on the court until his death, in 1962.

Judge Martin's survivors included his three children, John Donelson Martin Jr., Savilla Martin Sloan and Mary Clayton Martin Saunders. He himself was the grandson of Confederate Brigadier General John D. Martin.

Sources

• John Donelson Martin, Sr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.