The Forrest City times., 1899-08-18

Henry Massey Reoter.

Hon. Henry NJ. Rector. the seventh governor of Arkansas, died at his home m Little Rock August l2th, after a lin. gering illness.
 ., hehry Massey Rector was born at Fountains rerry, near Louisville. Ky. May 1 ISIS inc eldest son of Elias and Fannie B. r1hurs,or, hector. His first American ancestor was A native Of Wurtenberg Saxony, and settled in rauquier county, Virginia. in early colonial oays' His parents removed from Kentuckv to st Louis, where he was brought up. In lssa ms rather died leaving him heir to A large estate. lie removed to Arkansas in 1855 to .oos aiter iegactes left him n this state In i'"o he received an appointment as teller of 'ne hrkansas State Bank, but resigned the po- si'ion io months later and comme need farming m oaiine county. In ls4s-43 he acted as United states marshal Of the district of Arkansas; tr io4o' aiter most exciting canvass, was elected 'o the state senate. Subsequently he was ap- pointed United States surveyor-general of Ar Kansas. and held office until the state suryeva were completed. Having read law in the mean time, he opened a law office at Little Rock in 1854 In the following year he was again elected to the legislature. and in 1859 was elected to
 
 the supreme court of Arkansas In 1860 he ran as independent democratic candidate for the once Of governor, and after notable canvass was elected In April. 1881. President Lincoln made his famous call for s5Ooo troops to put down the rebellion. and Arkansas was appor- uoned her quota. Gov. Rector's reply to this requisltion is here given verbatim:
 Tn answer to your requisition for troops rom Arkansas to subjugate the southern states, l have to say that none will be parn- lshed, the demand adding insult to injury. The people Of this state are free men, not slaves, and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives and property against northern ursurpation. HENRY M. RECTOR,
 Governor Of Arkansas"
 He had already seized the arsenal at Little Rock and the fort at Fort Smith. with all arms. munitions and stores. In May, 1861, military board of three members, one of whom was the governor, was appointed to organize and equip an army, which was done to the extent of 40 regiments, to fight for the Confederate cause The revolutionary convention of 1881 had omitted in its enactments to continue the CYnce or governor, contest arose over the question and the state supreme court declared the ofnce vacant. Thus Gov Rector became a private citizen two years before the expiration of his term He then applied for commission in the regular army, but being denied this. entered the reserve corps as a private and participated in frequent engagements until the close of the war. He was member of the constitutional convention from Garland county. and assisted in framing the states organic law. The de- ceased was twice married. in 1888 to Jane Elizabeth daughter of Col Wm. Field, clerk of the United States circuit and district court for Arkansas, and grand niece of Gov Pope. His second marriage was to Ernestina Flora, daughter of Hon. Albert Linde of Memphis, Tenn. She died April 3. 1899. Three daughters. Mrs Mitchell. of Texas. Mesdames Brunson and Matheny, of Hot Springs. and two sons, Hon. E. W. and Henry NJ. Rector. of Hot Springs, survive him.