Daniel Phillips Upham facts for kids

Daniel Phillips Upham (often called D.P. Upham) was an American politician and businessman. He is best known for leading a successful campaign against the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in Arkansas after the American Civil War. From 1868 to 1869, Upham commanded a state militia force that fought against the KKK, which was attacking Republican leaders and newly freed African Americans. He started this effort after the Klan tried to assassinate him in October 1868. Later that year, Upham became a brigadier general and led over 1,000 men.

Early Life and Moving South

Daniel Phillips Upham was born on December 30, 1832, in Dudley, Massachusetts. His mother passed away shortly after his birth. He received a public education in Dudley. In 1860, he married Elizabeth K. Nash, and they later adopted a daughter named Isabel.

Joining the Union Army

In 1863, Upham joined the Union Army during the Civil War. He left the army when the war ended in 1865. After the war, he tried to start a building material business in New York City, but it didn't succeed. He then found success with other businesses, which helped him pay off his debts.

Starting Over in Arkansas

After settling his debts, Upham moved to Arkansas to find new opportunities. He bought and reopened a cotton plantation in Augusta, which quickly became successful. However, some former Confederates in the South disliked him because he was a Northerner who seemed to be benefiting from their struggles. People like him were sometimes called "carpetbaggers."

As Upham became wealthier, he also became a strong supporter of the Radical Republican party. These Republicans wanted big changes in the South, including equal rights for newly freed African Americans. Upham became an ally of Governor Powell Clayton. In 1867, he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives, largely due to the votes of freedmen (formerly enslaved people) and white Union supporters.

Fighting for Rights in Reconstruction

After the Civil War, the period known as "Reconstruction" aimed to rebuild the South and bring former Confederate states back into the Union. During this time, Upham and Governor Clayton worked to get the 14th Amendment approved in Arkansas. This amendment granted citizenship and equal rights to all people born or naturalized in the U.S., including freed slaves.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) responded with violence, killing many people, including freedmen and Republicans. This violence led Governor Clayton to create state and local militias to fight against the Klan.

Leading the Militia Against the Klan

Governor Clayton appointed Upham to lead the local militia in Woodruff County. This made Upham a target for the Klan. On October 2, 1868, Upham and another official were ambushed and injured by attackers.

In November 1868, Governor Clayton declared martial law (when the military takes control of an area) and divided Arkansas into military districts. Upham was put in charge of the Northeastern district, where the KKK often attacked the large African-American population. Upham gave his militia strong orders to stop the Klan's activities.

The fight against the Klan was intense. The Klan tried to take over Upham's hometown of Augusta and attacked his plantation, beating workers and killing one. Upham and 100 militiamen arrived and prevented the Klan from taking the town. When more Klan members were expected, Upham's forces arrested suspected Klansmen. Four suspects died during these events, reportedly while trying to escape.

Later, 500 Klansmen rode to destroy Upham's plantation, but Upham was ready with hundreds of well-trained militiamen. A fierce battle took place, resulting in a major defeat for the Klan. After more smaller fights, Upham was recognized for successfully stopping the Klan's violence across Arkansas.

Life After the Militia War

In 1869, Upham and his family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. He invested in real estate and continued to serve in the State Militia. In 1870, he was appointed brigadier general for the Seventh District in central Arkansas.

Upham also participated in conflicts in Pope County, Arkansas, in 1872, using similar strong tactics. However, in May 1873, the new Republican governor, Elisha Baxter, removed Upham from the militia. This was an attempt to gain support from former Confederates. In 1875, Upham was tried for the deaths of the four suspected Klansmen from 1868, but he was found not guilty.

In July 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Upham as a U.S. Marshal for the Western District Court in Fort Smith. He served with distinction, gaining public support. His career as Marshal ended in 1880 due to political plotting, even involving his former ally, Powell Clayton.

Death

In November 1882, Upham visited his family in Massachusetts. He passed away from tuberculosis at his father's house in Dudley on November 18, 1882. His body was brought back to Little Rock and buried in Oakland Cemetery, where his wife and daughter were later buried beside him.

Legacy

D.P. Upham is featured in the History Channel TV documentary Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War, where he is played by Brian Danner.