sentences:  He was appointed judge of the county court in January 1840 by Governor Seward and served for five years.Beginning in the mid-1830s, Martin was a leading proponent of constructing the Genesee Valley Canal.He was a member of the New York State Senate (32nd D.) in 1848 and 1849; and of the New York State Assembly (Cattaraugus Co., 1st D.) in 1850.