The Van Buren press., 1899-08-19
Henry Massey Rector.

Hon. Henry NJ. Rector, the seventh
governor of Arkansas, died at his nome
in Little Rock August 18th, after lin
gering illness.
Henry Massey Rector was born at FOUNTAIN 5
Ferry, near Louisville, Ky, May / 1910, the
eldest son Of Elias and Fannie b. fThurstohl
Rector His first American ancestor was
native Of Wurtenberg, Saxony, and settled III
Fauquier county. Virginia. in early colonial
days His parents removed from Kentucky TO
-. Louis. where he was brought up. In ls@-
his father died, leaving him heir TO lafee
estate. He removed to Arkansas IN 1850 TO
look after legaeies left him In this state. In
Isss he received an appointment as teiler Oh
the Arkansas State Bank but resigned the po-
sition Is menths later and eomms need farming
in Saline eoun.y In 1928 he acted as nited
States marshal of the district OF Arkansas; In
ISIS. after most exciting canvass was elected
10 the state senate. Subsequently he was ap-
pointed United States surveyorgeneral of Ar
kansas. and held office until the state surveys
were completed. Having read law in the mean
time. he opened law office at Little ROCK IN
iss4 In the following year he was again elected
10 the legislature. and in 1893 was eleeted 10
the supreme court of Arkansas In 1850 he ran
as Independent democratic candidate for the
office Of governor, and after a notable canvass
was elected. In April, ls6l, President Lincoln
made his famous call for 500 troops to put
down the rebellion, and Arkansas was appor-
toned her quota. Gov Reetors reply to this
requiSitioh is here given verbatim:
In answer to your requisition for troops
from Arkansas TO subjngate the southern
states, have to say that none will be purn-
ished, 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 NJ RECTOR,
sovernor 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 10
regiments. to fight for the Confederate cause
The revolutionary convention of 1881 had
omitted in its enaetments TO continue the ONCE
of governor, contest arose over the question
and the state supreme court declared the office
vacant. Thus Gov Rector became 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 1898 to Jane
Elizabeth, daughter Of Col VIM. 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 BrunsoE
and Matheny, of Hot Springs. and two sons,
Hon. Z. w. and Henry NJ. Rector, of Hot
Springs, survive him.