David W. Ballard

David W. Ballard (born February 21, 1824 in Bridgeport , Marion County , Indiana , † September 18, 1883 in Lebanon , Oregon ) was an American politician and governor of the Idaho Territory from 1866 to 1870 .

Early years and political advancement

David Ballard was a doctor and practiced this profession all his life alongside his political activities. In 1855 he moved with a team of oxen to Oregon, where he settled in Yamhill County . He became a member of the Republican Party and MP in the Oregon Senate . On the recommendation of George H. Williams , a U.S. Senator for Oregon, Ballard was named Idaho's new territorial governor by President Andrew Johnson in 1866 .

Territorial Governor of Idaho

Ballard took up his new office at a difficult time. For one thing, the administration was in poor shape after the mismanagement under Governor Caleb Lyon . Its state secretary, Horace C. Gilson , ran away with the treasury. As a result, the household budget was empty. In addition, many former Confederate supporters had settled in Idaho and supported the opposition Democratic Party there, which opposed the governor's policies. The conflict was so intense that Ballard had to use the US Army for his own guard in order to be safe from attack. His opponents managed to stop his salary payments. Until this problem was solved, he was earning his living as a doctor again. Eventually, with the help of his friends in Oregon, he was able to get salary payments resumed. In the meantime, even President Johnson had considered his removal and had already chosen a successor. However, after re-analyzing the situation in Idaho, Johnson reversed his decision and Ballard was able to remain in office.

Towards the end of his tenure, Ballard had succeeded in establishing a better relationship with the legislature. The territory's finances had also been restored. For this reason, even some citizens had asked the new President Ulysses S. Grant to keep Ballard in office. But this request came too late. The president had already appointed a successor. After the end of his governorship in Idaho, Ballard returned to Oregon, where he died in 1883.

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personal data
SURNAME	Ballard, David W.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	February 21, 1824
PLACE OF BIRTH	Bridgeport , Indiana
DATE OF DEATH	September 18, 1883
Place of death	Lebanon , Idaho