William Pitt Ballinger (September 25, 1825 – January 20, 1888) was an American lawyer and statesman in Texas. He had a significant impact on the development of Texas realty and railroad law. He originally supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Following the war, he was instrumental in the reconstruction in Texas, the emancipation of black slaves, and the industrial development of the South.
William Pitt Ballinger | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1825 Barbourville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | January 20, 1888 (aged 62) Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Harriet "Hally" Patrick Ballinger |
| Children | Betty Ballinger plus four others |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
Early life
editBallinger was born in Barbourville, Kentucky on September 25, 1825. He was the eldest child of James Franklin Ballinger and Olivia Adams, who named him for William Pitt. His mother died after giving birth to two daughters and another son, all of whom were raised by James.[1]
Ballinger's early education was informal. It included homeschooling by his father, attending presentations at the county courthouse, and reading books from his father's classical library. In 1840, Ballinger was invited to attend a recently opened Jesuit school in Bardstown, Kentucky, St. Mary's Catholic College.[2]
Career
editLaw
editBallinger left his native state for Galveston, Texas in 1843 in an attempt to improve his health. After his arrival, he studied law under James Love.[3]
Politics
editLike the Governor of Texas, Sam Houston, Ballinger was pro-Union and opposed secession, but the Unionists were outvoted in a statewide referendum by a margin of 46,129 to 14,697. Yet he was also an adversary to the Republican Party and offered his full support to the Confederacy after secession.[4]
Personal life
editBallinger married Hallie P. Jack in 1850. They had two sons, and three daughters, including Betty Ballinger.[5]
Death and legacy
editBallinger died in Galveston on January 20, 1888.[5]
The town of Ballinger, Texas was officially named in his honor.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Moretta (2000). p. 15.
- ^ Moretta (2000), p. 19.
- ^ Stevens, Kenneth R. (2002). "William Pitt Ballinger: Galveston's Reluctant Rebel". East Texas Historical Journal. 40 (1): 37. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Stevens (2002), pp. 37–38.
- ^ a b King, C. Richard (April 14, 2021). "William Pitt Ballinger". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ Pinkney, Kathryn. "Ballinger, TX". TSHA online.
Bibliography
edit- Moretta, John Anthony (2000). William Pitt Ballinger: Texas Lawyer, Southern Statesman, 1825–1888. Austin: Texas State Historical Association. ISBN 0-87611-166-5.
External links
edit- William Pitt Ballinger from the Handbook of Texas Online