Background
William Beck was born on October 10, 1811, in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. He was the son of David and Lucy Beck Ochiltree. In his youth, his family moved to Florida and later to Alabama.
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William Beck Ochiltree
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Education
In Alabama, Ochiltree studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1832.
Career
Ochiltree became an important lawyer in Nacogdoches, Texas. In 1842, he was named judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Texas. He was secretary of the treasury of the Republic of Texas in 1844 and attorney general in 1845, the year he also served as a delegate to the state constitutional convention.
In 1846, William was elected a district judge, and in 1855-1856, he was elected to the state House. Ochiltree was a Whig leader and chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the state House. He moved to Marshall, Texas, in 1859 and signed the Texas Secession Ordinance in 1861.
He was a delegate to the provisional Confederate Congress. He also raised the 18th Texas Infantry, which he served as colonel. While in Congress, he served on the Inauguration, Military Affairs, Pay and Mileage, Postal Affairs, and Territories Committees and was considered an administration supporter.
Ochiltree refused election to the first House but fought with his regiment in the western campaigns. Ochiltree resigned his commission in 1863 and returned to his law practice. He held no further position in the Confederacy.
Achievements
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William Beck Ochiltree was a prominent officeholder in the Republic of Texas. He was instrumental in the state constitutional convention of 1845, and a member of the Texas legislature. As one of the best-known members of the convention, Ochiltree was chosen as a delegate to the Provisional Congress. Ochiltree was an active member, supporting measures that would be to the advantage of his state.
William's name was closely connected with the history of Texas and she will preserve it as one of her truest and most useful citizens.
The community and county of Ochiltree were named in his honor.
Politics
While working to bring about a two-party system in Texas, Ochiltree was a leader of the state's Whig party. He was active in local meetings that demanded that state leaders not submit to the election of Abraham Lincoln, arguing that his election threatened slavery and a loss to Southern equality in the Union.
Connections
In 1834, William married Novaline Kennard Peck, and in 1839, he and his wife moved to Texas. In 1858 he married second time to Atala Hotchkiss. William had seven children.
- Father:
- David Ochiltree
- Mother:
- Lucy Beck Ochiltree
- Sister:
- Catharine Ochiltree
- ex-wife:
- Novaline Kennard Peck Ochiltree
- Wife:
- Atala Hotchkiss Ochiltree
- Son:
- Thomas Peck Ochiltree
- Daughter:
- Virginia May Ochiltree Wiegers
- Son:
- William B. Ochiltree
- Daughter:
- Lucy Ochiltree Rogers
- Daughter:
- Eva Mariah Ochiltree Kneeland
- Son:
- Nathan Smith Ochiltree
- Daughter:
- Ayalita Ochiltree Morris
1782-1834
1835-1910
1820-1871
1837-1902
1837-1918
1843-1906
1846-1876
1848-1931
1853-1859
1855-1914
References
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Born
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Died
December 27, 1867 (aged 56) -
Resting place
Oakwood Cemetery Jefferson, Marion County, Texas, United States -
Nationality
American -
Religion
Episcopalian -
Political Party
Whig Party
Career
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1842 - 1844
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1844
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February 4, 1861 - February 17, 1862