Daniel Balmaceda
José Daniel Balmaceda Fernández (1861 – 6 December 1905) was a Chilean farmer and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies on several occasions between 1891 and 1905.
A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he represented constituencies in northern and southern Chile and was a member of the party's national leadership.
He was a younger brother of José Manuel Balmaceda, who served as President of Chile from 1886 to 1891.
Early life
Balmaceda was born in Santiago in 1861, the son of Manuel José Balmaceda and Encarnación Fernández Salas. His father was a landowner and politician who served in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
He studied at the Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Santiago before devoting himself to agriculture. Balmaceda married Trinidad Fontecilla Sánchez, with whom he had eleven children.
Political career
Balmaceda was active in the Liberal Democratic Party, serving as a member of its national leadership. He was also a significant financial contributor to the party and supported its electoral campaigns.
He first entered the Chamber of Deputies in the Constituent Congress of 1891 as a representative for Elqui. During this term, he served on the Elections and Petitions Committee.
Balmaceda later represented Llanquihue, Carelmapu and Osorno during the 1897–1900 legislative term, serving on the Ecclesiastical Affairs Committee.
He subsequently returned to the Chamber as deputy for Tarapacá and Pisagua for the 1903–1906 term. During this period, he was a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Balmaceda died in Colina on 6 December 1905, before completing his parliamentary term.