William H. Martin
Encyclopedia
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
.
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 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
. He moved to Texas in 1850 and engaged in the practice of law in Henderson County.
in 1861 with the Company K, 4th Infantry, Hood's Texas Brigade 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!"
, Limestone
, Henderson
and Navarro counties.
After the war, Martin returned to Texas and engaged in the practice of law in Athens
.
Martin was elected district attorney 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 caused after John H. Reagan was chosen to serve in the United States Senate
. Martin was reelected to the 51st United States Congress
and served from November 4, 1887, to March 3, 1891. He resumed the practice of law in Athens, Texas
.
, February 5, 1898. He is interred in Hillsboro Cemetery.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and veteran of the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
who served under Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
.
Biography
William Harrison Martin was born(see talk page) to Robert and Charlotte Martin,in Twiggs County, Georgia
Twiggs County, Georgia
Twiggs County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 14, 1809. As of 2000, the population was 10,590. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 10,280...
on September 2, 1822. He married Martha Elizabeth Gallemore, on February 12, 1867 in Navarro County, Texas. The couple had six children. Martha 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
Admission to the bar in the United States
In the United States, admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S. state and similar jurisdiction has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission , which can lead to different admission...
. He moved to Texas in 1850 and engaged in the practice of law in Henderson County.
Military service
Harrison enlisted in the Confederate States ArmyConfederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
in 1861 with the Company K, 4th Infantry, Hood's Texas Brigade in the Texas Confederate Regiments during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. His regiment fought in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
Eastern Theater of the American Civil War
The Eastern Theater of the American Civil War included the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, and the coastal fortifications and seaports of North Carolina...
. The brigade served throughout the war in Robert E. Lee's
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
and in James Longstreet's First Corps
James Longstreet
James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse." He served under Lee as a corps commander for many of the famous battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia in the...
. 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
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
, stood up in his stirrups and yelled, "Howdy!"
Public service
He served as member of the Texas State Senate 1853-1857 representing FreestoneFreestone County, Texas
Freestone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 17,867. Its county seat is Fairfield.-Geography:...
, Limestone
Limestone County, Texas
Limestone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 22,051. Its county seat is Groesbeck.-Geography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
, Henderson
Henderson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,277 people, 28,804 households, and 20,969 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 35,935 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
and Navarro counties.
After the war, Martin returned to Texas and engaged in the practice of law in Athens
Athens, Texas
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat of Henderson County. According to the Texas Legislature, Athens is the "Original Home of the Hamburger"...
.
Martin was elected district attorney for Kaufman
Kaufman County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 71,313 people, 24,367 households, and 19,225 families residing in the county. The population density was 91/sq mi . There were 26,133 housing units at an average density of 33/sq mi...
, Smith
Smith County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 174,706 people, 65,692 households, and 46,904 families residing in the county. The population density was 188 people per square mile . There were 71,701 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
, Henderson
Henderson County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 73,277 people, 28,804 households, and 20,969 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile . There were 35,935 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
and Anderson
Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 55,109. Its county seat is Palestine. Anderson county was organized in 1846, and is named in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson who had been Vice President of the Republic of Texas.-Geography:According to the...
counties.
On February 12, 1887, he was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the 50th United States Congress
50th United States Congress
The Fiftieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1887 to March 4, 1889, during the third and fourth...
to fill the vacancy caused after John H. Reagan was chosen to serve in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Martin was reelected to the 51st United States Congress
51st United States Congress
The Fifty-first United States Congress, referred to by some critics as the Billion Dollar Congress, was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C...
and served from November 4, 1887, to March 3, 1891. He resumed the practice of law in Athens, Texas
Athens, Texas
Athens is a city in Henderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,710. It is the county seat of Henderson County. According to the Texas Legislature, Athens is the "Original Home of the Hamburger"...
.
Death
William Harrison Martin died at his home near Hillsboro, TexasHillsboro, Texas
Hillsboro is a city in and the county seat of Hill County in Central Texas. The population was 8,232 at the 2000 census.Hillsboro, located on Interstate 35 where I-35E and I-35W meet south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is the primary center for trade and commerce in Hill County...
, February 5, 1898. He is interred in Hillsboro Cemetery.