William Harrison Martin

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 and Charlotte Martin, 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. In 1850, he moved to Texas and engaged in the practice of law in 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!"

Public service

He served as a member of the Texas State Senate 1853–1857 Harries preferred charges; Martin pleaded guilty to assault and was fined five dollars.

Death

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