Martin was born in
Arnaudville, Louisiana, the son of Wade Martin Sr., a
sheriff in
St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, and Alice Mills. He attended and graduated from
Southwestern Louisiana Institute. After graduating, he attended
Louisiana State University Law School, earning his
law degree in 1935, which after earning his degree, he served in the armed forces during
World War II. Martin served as
secretary of state of Louisiana from 1944 to 1976. == Death and legacy ==