William J. Oliphant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William J. Oliphant
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| Born | September 30, 1845 Lawrenceburg, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | November 11, 1930 (aged 85) Austin, Texas, U.S.
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| Occupation | Army private, photographer, photography publisher |
| Spouse(s) | Lizzie J. (Walker) Alice Olive Townsend |
| Relatives | Walter Prescott Webb (son-in-law) |
William J. Oliphant (1845–1930) was an American photographer from Austin, Texas. He was also a soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Oliphant became famous for publishing the first photos of buffalo hunts in North America.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
William James Oliphant was born on September 30, 1845, in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. His father, William S. Oliphant, was a jeweler. In 1853, when William was seven, his family moved to Texas. They settled in Austin, where his father opened a jewelry store.
William later studied photography in Washington, D.C.. He learned from two well-known photographers, Alexander Gardner and Timothy H. O'Sullivan.
A Soldier and a Photographer
Serving in the Civil War
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), William Oliphant joined the Confederate States Army. He was a private in a group called the "Travis Rifles." This group was part of the 6th Texas Infantry Regiment.
Oliphant fought in several important battles. These included the Battle of Missionary Ridge, the Battle of Pickett's Mill, and the Battle of Atlanta. At the Battle of Atlanta, he was hurt and captured by the Union army. He was held as a prisoner at Camp Chase for almost a year.
Starting a Photography Business
After the war ended, Oliphant became a photographer in Austin. His photo studio was located above his father's jewelry shop. He was one of the first photographers in Austin to have his own studio.
Oliphant also published photos taken by other photographers. He is most famous for publishing the earliest pictures of buffalo hunts in the United States. These photos were part of a collection called Life on the Frontier. Another photographer named George Robertson took these pictures in 1874.
Working for the Government
From the 1880s to the 1920s, Oliphant worked for the government. He held jobs with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Internal Revenue Service. He also worked for the Travis County Tax Assessor's Office.
Family Life
William Oliphant lived in the Oliphant-Walker House in Hyde Park, a neighborhood in Austin. He was married two times. His first wife was Lizzie J. Walker. After she passed away in 1873, he married Alice Olive Townsend in 1877. They had four children together. One of his daughters married Walter Prescott Webb, who became a famous Texas historian.
Later Years and Legacy
William J. Oliphant died on November 11, 1930, in Austin, Texas. He was buried at the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.
A local group in Austin, the William J. Oliphant chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, is named in his honor. This group works to remember and honor Confederate history.
