Biographical and Pictorial History of Arkansas, Chapter VII *********************************************************** Submitted by: Joy fisher < > Date: 14 Dec 2007 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** BIOGRAPHICAL AND PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS. BY JOHN HALLUM. VOL. I. ALBANY: WEED, PARSON'S AND COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1887. Entered according to act of Congress in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, BY JOHN HALLUM, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. BIOGRAPHICAL AND PICTORIAL HISTORY OF ARKANSAS. HISTORICAL. CHAPTER VII. SHOWING THE CONNECTION BY CONSANGUINITY AND AFFINITY BETWEEN "THE FAMILIES OF THE REIGNING DYNASTY OF ARKANSAS," FROM 1820 TO 1860. THE Conway family with its connections and ramifications constituted the reigning dynasty in Arkansas from 1820 to 1860, and held all the great offices with rare exceptions. Now and then, some lofty and daring spirit would tear down the barrier, break through the line of official succession and ride on the tidal wave of his own creation into office without the patronage and against the will of the powerful combination. And as it will much facilitate the reader's understanding of the political complications and combinations treated in the progress of this work the author gives the relationship by blood and marriage between the powerful families holding high official position so long prior to the civil war. Ann Rector, wife of Thomas Conway, was the paternal aunt of Governor Henry M. Rector, her six distinguished sons being first cousins to the latter. Susan Conway, the paternal aunt of the governors Conway, married John, the son of Colonel Valentine Sevier, nephew to Governor John Sevier, one of the heroes of Kings Mountain, who was six times elected governor of Tennessee and died during his second term in congress. Ambrose H. Sevier, the son of this marriage, married Miss Juliet, the daughter of Judge Benjamin Johnson, sister to Hon. Robert W. Johnson. Sevier and Governor Fulton were the warmest personal and political friends through life. Ambrose H. Sevier, son of the senator, married Miss Wright, grand-daughter of Governor Fulton. Governor Churchill married Miss Annie, daughter of Senator Sevier, and is grand- nephew to Governor John Pope. Major Wharton Rector, paymaster in the United States army, so often mentioned and so celebrated in our early history, was the uncle of Governor Rector and Elias Rector, who is known to our local literature as "The fine old Arkansas gentleman," the two latter being first cousins. Wm. Walker, an eminent lawyer, dating back to territorial times, but yet living, married Mary A. R. Rector, daughter of Major Wharton Rector, of the army. "The fine old Arkansas gentleman" married Catharine I., the daughter of Captain Wm. Du Val, sister to our distinguished citizen, Hon. Ben. T. Du Val. STATEMENT showing the term of service and the various offices held by this powerful family connection. GOVERNOR. JohnPope 1829 to 1835 6 years. Wm. S. Fulton 1835 to 1836 1 year. James S. Conway 1836 to 1840 4 years. Elias N. Conway 1852 to 1860 8 years. Henry M. Rector* 1860 to 1862 2 years. Thomas J. Churchill 1881 to 1883 2 years. *Elected for four years, served only two. 23 years. SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORY. Wm. S. Fulton 1829 to 1836 6 years. CLERK TERRITORIAL HOUSE REP. Ambrose H. Sevier 1821 to 1823 2 years. TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE. A.H.Sevier 1823 to 1829 6 years. Elected speaker in '27. TERRITORIAL AUDITOR. Elias N. Conway 1835 to 1836 1 year. SURVEYOR-GENERAL OF THE TERRITORY. James S. Conway 1825 to 1836 11 years. RECEIVER OF PUBLIC MONEYS. Henry W. Conway 1820 to 1823 3 years. JUDGE TERRITORIAL COURT. Benjamin Johnson 1821 to 1836 15 years. JUDGE FEDERAL COURT. Benjamin Johnson 1836 to 1849 13 years. JUDGE STATE CIRCUIT COURT. George Conway 1844 to 1848 4 years. William Conway, B. 1840 to 1843 3 years. JUDGE SUPREME COURT. William Conway, B. 1846 to 1848 2 years. STATE AUDITOR. Elias N. Conway 1836 to 1849 13 years. STATE TREASURER. Thomas J. Churchill 1874 to 1881 6 years. PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. Robert W. Johnson 1840 to 1842 2 years. ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE. Robert W. Johnson 1840 to 1842 2 years. He resigned this to accept a seat in congress. FEDERAL CONGRESS - HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Henry W. Conway 1823 to 1827 4 years. But was elected to a third term - killed in a duel with Robert Crittenden in fall of 1827. Ambrose H. Sevier 1827 to 1836 8 years. Robert W. Johnson 1847 to 1853 6 years. FEDERAL CONGRESS - SENATE. Ambrose H. Sevier 1836 to 1848 12 years. Resigned in 1848 to negotiate treaty with Mexico, and died December, 1848. William S. Fulton 1836 to 1844 8 years. Died August, 1844, before expiration of office. Robert W. Johnson 855 to 1861 6 years. CONFEDERATE STATES - CONGRESS. Robert W. Johnson 1861 to 1862 1 year. CONFEDERATE STATES - SENATE. Robert W. Johnson 1862 to 1865 3 years. Elias Rector ( U. S. marshal, 20 years ) ( Indian Agent, 10 years ) 30 years. Aggregate 190 years.