John W. Martin

Who was John W. Martin?

John Wellborn Martin was an American politician. He was the 24th Governor of Florida, serving from 1925 to 1929. He also served as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida from 1917 to 1923.

Martin was born in Plainfield in Marion County, Florida. He passed the Florida bar in 1914 and established a law career in Jacksonville. In 1917 he was elected Mayor of Jacksonville, serving until 1923. He was elected governor on January 6, 1925, and served until January 8, 1929. During his tenure, tourism and land speculation purchases increased, road and highway developments were advanced, and an industrial plant for physically disabled prisoners was created. Martin also advocated for state-funded public schools and for granting free schoolbooks to all students through sixth grade. After leaving office, he returned to Jacksonville. He unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1928 and for the governorship in 1932. He died in Jacksonville in 1958, and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Martin County, Florida is named for him.