Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Marsh received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Lafayette College in 1927 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1930.

He was an assistant district attorney of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania from 1942 to 1950.

[1][2] On March 27, 1950, Marsh was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Robert Murray Gibson.

He served as Chief Judge from 1969 to 1975, and assumed senior status on January 31, 1977.

Marsh served in that capacity until his death on April 19, 1993, in Greensburg.