23 Facts About Elisha Baxter

Elisha Baxter was an American businessman and politician who served as the 10th governor of Arkansas from 1873 to 1874.

Elisha Baxter sought and obtained an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Elisha Baxter ran a successful mercantile business in Rutherford County with his brother-in-law Spenser Eaves.

In 1852, Elisha Baxter moved to Batesville, Arkansas, and opened a mercantile business with his brother, Taylor.

Elisha Baxter joined the Whig party and was elected mayor of Batesville in 1853.

Elisha Baxter studied law and, in 1856, was admitted to the Arkansas bar.

Elisha Baxter was reelected to the House in 1858 and served two terms from Independence County, leaving in 1860.

When Curtis left Batesville, Elisha Baxter was forced to flee to Missouri.

Elisha Baxter was captured, brought back to Little Rock, and charged with treason, only to escape later before his trial could take place.

Elisha Baxter describes this episode in his life in his autobiography:.

When Elisha Baxter returned to Batesville, he organized the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry for the Union and commanded it until he was named a State Supreme Court judge by Governor Murphy in the Spring 1864.

Elisha Baxter held these two positions until he was nominated for governor in 1872.

Elisha Baxter was virtually unknown and privately clean of scandals, unlike most of the Minstrels.

Elisha Baxter escaped north and joined the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry, serving as colonel of the regiment.

In 1864, after Arkansas was occupied by Union troops, Elisha Baxter was appointed as Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, but he did not serve in that position.

In mid-1865, Baxter formed a law partnership in Little Rock with future US Congressman and fellow Unionist James M Hinds.

From 1868 to 1872, Elisha Baxter served as a judge on the 3rd Circuit Court.

In 1872, Elisha Baxter was elected as a Republican Governor of Arkansas over Joseph Brooks in a controversial election that resulted in the Brooks-Elisha Baxter War.

Elisha Baxter was physically removed from the governor's office by Brooks and state militia loyal to him.

Elisha Baxter was not restored to the governorship until a month later.

Elisha Baxter was the last Republican governor to be elected in Arkansas until Winthrop Rockefeller in 1966, after the Republican Party began a revival there.

Elisha Baxter ran for a position in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1878 but was unsuccessful.

Elisha Baxter died in Batesville, Arkansas and is buried at Oaklawn Cemetery there.