Painting, Portrait - Governor Elisha Baxter
Object number2006.023.04
Associated LocationArkansas
Credit LineOld State House Museum collection
Terms
Elisha Baxter was born on September 1, 1827 in Rutherford County, North Carolina and was first generation American. He married Harriet Patton on August 16, 1849 and they had six children. The Baxters moved to Batesville, Arkansas in 1852 and in 1858 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature. In 1873, Baxter became the tenth Governor of Arkansas. During his tenure, he was ousted from the State House by Joseph Brooks and his supports resulting in the Brooks-Baxter War. However, Baxter was restored to the governorship by President Ulysses S. Grant. The 1874 election saw the end of Baxter in the State House, with Augustus H. Garland wining the governorship, and he retired from politics four years later. Baxter passed away on May 31, 1899 and is buried in Batesville’s Okalawn Cemetery.
Status
On view
April 22, 1874
