William Harrison Martin Explained

William Harrison "Howdy" Martin
United States Congressman
Texas 2nd Congressional District
Term Start:November 4, 1887
Term End:March 3, 1891
Predecessor:John Henninger Reagan
Title2:District Attorney
Kaufman, Smith
Henderson, Anderson counties
Term Start2:unknown dates
Term End2:(between Congress and State Senate)
Title3:Senator
Texas Senate, District 22
Term Start3:1853
Term End3:1858
Predecessor3:John O. Meusebach
Successor3:Francis Marion Martin
Birth Date:September 2, 1822
Birth Place:Twiggs County, Georgia, US
Death Place:Hill County, Texas, US
Restingplace:Hillsboro Cemetery
Party:Democratic
Residence:Hillsboro, Texas
Spouse:Martha Elizabeth Gallemore
Children:Six children
Alma Mater:Troy State College
Profession:Attorney
Allegiance:Confederate States Army
Branch:Hood's Texas Brigade
Battles:Eastern Theater of the American Civil War

William Harrison "Howdy" Martin (September 2, 1822 – February 5, 1898) was a Texas State Senator, U.S. Representative from Texas and veteran of the Confederate States Army who served under Robert E. Lee.

Biography

William Harrison Martin was born(see talk page) to Robert[1] and Charlotte Martin,[2] in Twiggs County, Georgia on September 2, 1822. He married Martha Elizabeth Gallemore on February 12, 1867, in Navarro County, Texas. The couple had six children. Martha[3] was born in Twiggs County, Georgia on June 22, 1846.

Martin attended the common schools in Alabama. He studied law at Troy State College, and was admitted to the bar. In 1850, he moved to Texas and engaged in the practice of law in [2] Henderson County.

Military service

Harrison enlisted in the Confederate States Army in 1861,[4] with the Company K, 4th Infantry, Hood's Texas Brigade[5] in the Texas Confederate Regiments during the Civil War. His regiment fought in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The brigade served throughout the war in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and in James Longstreet's First Corps. In April 1864, Martin was promoted to the rank of Major.

Nobody is sure how he got the nickname of "Howdy," but one war-time legend has it that he saw Robert E. Lee, stood up in his stirrups and yelled, "Howdy!"[6]

Public service

He served as a member of the Texas State Senate 1853–1857[2] representing Freestone, Limestone, Henderson and Navarro counties.

After the war, Martin returned to Texas, continuing his law practice in Athens.

Martin was elected district attorney[2] for Kaufman, Smith, Henderson and Anderson counties.

On February 12, 1887, he was elected as a Democrat to the 50th United States Congress to fill the vacancy of John H. Reagan who was chosen to serve in the United States Senate . Martin was reelected[2] to the 51st United States Congress and served from November 4, 1887, to March 3, 1891. After which, he resumed his law practice. In 1888, Martin took offense to articles George Herbert Harries had written about him in The Washington Star, and responded by attacking him in the United States Capitol.[7] Harries preferred charges; Martin pleaded guilty to assault and was fined five dollars.[7]

Death

William Harrison Martin died at his home near Hillsboro, Texas, February 5, 1898.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William Harrison Martin genealogy. LDS Family Search.org. LDS Compact Disc #70 Pin #950191.
  2. Texas State Historical Association
  3. Web site: Martha Elizabeth Gallemore genealogy. LDS Family Search.org. LDS Compact Disc #70 Pin #950192.
  4. Web site: Texas Confederate Regiments. Texas in the Civil War. 18 June 2010.
  5. Texas State Historical Association
  6. Book: Guttery, Ben R . Representing Texas: A Comprehensive History of U.S. and Confederate Senators and Representatives from Texas . 2008 . BookSurge Publishing . 978-1-4196-7884-4 . 106 .
  7. News: December 13, 1888 . The Assault on Mr. Harries . . Washington, DC . 3 . Newspapers.com.