James Sevier Conway

James Sevier Conway (born December 9, 1798 in Greene County , Tennessee , † March 3, 1855 in Lafayette County , Arkansas ) was an American politician and from 1836 to 1840 the first governor of the state of Arkansas.

Early years

James Conway initially enjoyed a private education before attending public schools in Tennessee. In 1820 he moved to what was then the Arkansas Territory , where he worked as a surveyor with two of his brothers. They acquired the land on which the town of Little Rock was built. This makes Conway one of the founders of the future capital of Arkansas. The Conway family soon gained great influence in Arkansas. His older brother Henry was a delegate in the US Congress . In 1827, the then influential State Secretary Robert Crittenden shot him in a duel. His younger brother Elias would also become governor of Arkansas between 1852 and 1860. James Conway then started a large cotton plantation in Lafayette County. His cousin Henry Rector would later also become governor of Arkansas.

Political rise

Between 1832 and 1836, James Conway was head of the Arkansas Territory Land Survey. During this time, the course was set in the territory for inclusion of the area as a federal state in the USA. After the country became part of the United States on June 15, 1836, as the 25th state, James Conway was elected first governor. He owed the election against the popular Archibald Yell to the help of his family and their newspaper, the Arkansas Gazette, who actively supported his election campaign.

Arkansas Governor

James Conway served as governor of Arkansas between September 13, 1836 and November 4, 1840. He was a member of President Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party . But contrary to the president's policy, Conway was in favor of a state bank in Arkansas. Conway strengthened the National Guard in order to repel Indian attacks on the western border. He promoted the development of a school system and the expansion of the roads. That was the beginning of an infrastructure in this state. But Conway failed with the plan to found his own university and a state-owned library. At the end of his reign, the country was drawn into an economic crisis. As a result, the national debt rose sharply. Conway declined to run again in 1840.

Another résumé

At the end of his tenure, he returned to his cotton plantation. However, he continued to observe the political development of his country without, however, once again holding public office. Conway died in 1855. He was married to Mary Bradley. The couple had ten children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Conway, James Sevier
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	December 9, 1798
PLACE OF BIRTH	Greene County , Tennessee
DATE OF DEATH	March 3, 1855
Place of death	Lafayette County , Arkansas