Martin Joseph Wade

United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa district Retired 1931 · served 1915–1931 Appointed by Woodrow Wilson (Democratic) 20 signed orders read

Judge Wade no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge Wade decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

Wade treated functional equivalence, rather than minor mechanical differences, as decisive in patent infringement.

“mechanical equivalent of the structure described in the patent.”

In equity, he would not compel a purchaser to accept a title exposed to substantial future litigation.

“A court of equity should not compel the defendant to accept the title tendered by the plaintiff herein”

Procedural preferences

Wade emphasized avoiding conflict with a state court that had first taken control of an estate.

“the federal court should not put itself in a position where, there is conflict between it and a state court, which first acquired jurisdiction.”

He treated participation and notice as essential before a judgment could bind a mortgagee's distinct property rights.

“a man does not have his ‘day in court’ unless he has been made a party in the proceeding, duly summoned to appear, with the right to introduce evidence and cross-examine the witnesses”

Cautions

Wade declined to expand federal jurisdiction to unauthorized conduct by local officers that lacked a foundation in state authority.

“I hold, that the court has no jurisdiction herein”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

In re Davenport Dry Goods Co.
· 1925-11-02
Petition for review of referee finding (company) Denied

“the finding of the referee must be confirmed.”

Berry v. Ringgold County
· 1929-11-22
Motions to dismiss (defendant) Granted

“the motion for dismissal is sustained, and the cause is dismissed without prejudice to any proceeding in the state court.”

In re Branson
· 1926-11-15
Petition for review of referee order (petitioner) Granted

“said petition for review should be, and the same is, hereby granted”

Claim for preference (Dayton Seale Company) Denied

“claim of Dayton Seale Company to preference is denied.”

Grinnell Washing Machine Co. v. Clarinda Lawn Mower Co.
· 1916-09-06
Motion for leave to amend answer (defendant) Denied

“I felt it my duty under the circumstances to deny the application”

Patent infringement claim (plaintiff) Granted

“I therefore have no choice, but to sustain the claims of the plaintiff, and to grant the injunction prayed for.”

United States ex rel. Hughes v. Gault
· 1925-04-10
Habeas petition (petitioner) Denied

“The petition for habeas corpns will be denied”

Application for removal warrant (United States) Granted

“an order of removal will be prepared by the district attorney”

Illinois Central Railroad v. W. L. Hoopes & Sons
· 1916-05-27
Motion to strike counterclaim (plaintiff) Granted

“the counterclaim will be stricken out.”

In re Jens
· 1921-05-31
Petition for review of referee order (trustee) Granted

“the ruling by the referee must be reversed.”

Lewis v. Iowa State Traveling Men's Association
· 1918-01-22
Insurance benefits claim (plaintiff) Granted

“Upon the agreed facts there will be a judgment in favor of the plaintiff.”

Hess v. Bowen
· 1916-03-05
Claim for specific performance (plaintiff) Denied

“the relief sought by the plaintiff is denied.”

In re Dorgan's Estate
· 1916-07-01
Claim that remainder interest passes to trustee (trustee) Granted

“the interest of Edmund J. D'organ, the bankrupt herein, in the estate of John Kelly, passes to the trustee in bankruptcy.”

Request for restraining order (trustee) Denied

“As to the restraining order, none is necessary.”

In re Empress Pharmacy
· 1916-01-18
Petition for review of referee order (trustee) Granted

“it is my duty to reverse the adjudication by the referee; and it is so ordered.”

In re Hosmer
· 1916-05-26
Petition for review of referee order (landlords) Granted

“The order of the referee will be reversed”

Caseload & timing

From public federal docket records for this judge.

No electronic case-level docket exists for Wade's tenure. The profile therefore makes no claim about complete caseload mix, duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.

A historical record

Judge Wade no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.