William Beck Ochiltree

William Beck Ochiltree
Deputy from Texas to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States
In office February 4, 1861 – February 17, 1862
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1811-10-18)October 18, 1811 Fayetteville, North Carolina
Died	December 27, 1867(1867-12-27) (aged 56) Jefferson, Texas
Resting place	Oakwood Cemetery, Jefferson, Texas

William Beck Ochiltree (October 18, 1811 – December 27, 1867), was a settler, judge, and legislator in Texas. In 1963, Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Number 967, honoring Colonel Ochiltree, was placed at the courthouse in Perryton.

Biography

He was born at Fayetteville, North Carolina; his family lived for a time in Florida and after 1820 in Alabama, where Ochiltree began practicing law. In 1839 he moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, and continued his practice. During the years of the Republic of Texas, he was a judge of the Fifth Judicial District, secretary of the treasury in 1844, adjutant general in 1845, and delegate to the Convention of 1845. After the annexation of Texas by the United States, he was a representative in the Sixth Texas Legislature in 1855 and delegate to the Secession Convention in 1861. He was elected to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States but resigned after a short time to return to Texas and raise a regiment. Ill health forced him to resign that post in 1863. He subsequently lived at Jefferson until his death. Ochiltree and Ochiltree County, Texas are named in his honor.

Legacy

Ochiltree County, Texas (established 1889), is named after him.

External links

• William Beck Ochiltree from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Read William B. Ochiltree's entry in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History.