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 from 1866 to 1870 governor of the Idaho Territory.

Early years and political rise

David Ballard was a doctor and has pursued that profession all his life in addition to his political activities. In 1855 he moved with an ox team to Oregon, where he settled in Yamhill County. He became a member of the Republican Party and a deputy in the Senate from Oregon. On the recommendation of George H. Williams, a U.S. Senator for Oregon, Ballard was appointed by President Andrew Johnson as the new territorial governor of Idaho in 1866.

Territorial Governor in Idaho

Ballard joined his new post at a difficult time. First, the administration was after the mismanagement under Governor Caleb Lyon in poor condition. Meanwhile, Secretary Horace C. Gilson had eloped with the Treasury. Thus the household budget was empty. Added to this was the fact that many former supporters of the Confederate States had settled in Idaho and there supported the opposition Democratic Party, which opposed the policy of the Governor. The conflict was so violent that Ballard had to use the U.S. military to its own security in order to be safe from attacks. His opponents to stop his salary payments succeeded. Up to solving this problem he earned his money as a doctor. Finally, he was able to prevail with the help of his friends in Oregon the resumption of salary payments. In the meantime, even President Johnson had considered his deposition and already determined a successor. However, Johnson took his decision after re- analyzing the situation in Idaho back, and Ballard was able to stay in office.

Towards the end of his tenure, it was Ballard succeeded in creating a better relationship with the legislature. The finances of the territory had been brought back in order. For this reason, even some citizens had the new President Ulysses S. Grant asked to leave Ballard in his office. 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.