Samuel Adams (June 5, 1805 – February 27, 1850) was an American politician who served as

acting Acting is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character—in theatre, television, film, radio, or any other medium that makes use of the mimetic mode. Acting involves a broad r ...

governor of Arkansas A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...

from April to November 1844.

Early life

Adams was born in

Halifax County, Virginia Halifax County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,022. Its county seat is Halifax. History Occupied by varying cultures of indigenous peoples for thousands of years, in histo ...

. He moved to Arkansas in 1835, where he became a planter and was active in state politics.

Political career

Adams was a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

, and was elected to the

Arkansas Senate The Arkansas State Senate is the upper branch of the Arkansas General Assembly. The Senate consists of 35 members, each representing a district with about 83,000 people. Service in the state legislature is part-time, and many state senators have ...

in 1840. He was reelected and served as president of the Senate during his second term. On April 29, 1844, Governor

Archibald Yell Archibald Yell (August 9, 1797 – February 23, 1847) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the U.S. representative from Arkansas from 1836 to 1839, and 1845 to 1846. He was the second governor of Arkansas, serving from 1840 to 18 ...

resigned from his office to run for the

U.S. House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...

. Adams, who was president of the Arkansas Senate at that time, became Acting

Governor of Arkansas A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...

and served until November 5, 1844. During his short term he focused on

internal improvements Internal improvements is the term used historically in the United States for public works from the end of the American Revolution through much of the 19th century, mainly for the creation of a transportation infrastructure: roads, turnpikes, canal ...

and education, and left a surplus in the state treasury when he left office. In 1846, Adams was elected to the office of

State Treasurer In the state governments of the United States, 48 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. New York abolished the position in 1926; duties were transferred to New York State Comptroller. Texas abolished the position of Texas ...

and served in that position until his death.

Death

Samuel Adams died in

Saline County, Arkansas Saline County ( ) is located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 107,118. Its county seat and largest city is Benton. Saline County was formed on November 2, 1835, and named for the salt water (brine) spri ...

. He is buried in the historic

Mount Holly Cemetery Mount Holly Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in the Quapaw Quarter area of downtown Little Rock in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and is the burial place for numerous Arkansans of note. It was listed on the National Register of Historic ...

Little Rock, Arkansas (The Little Rock, The "Little Rock") , government_type = council-manager government, Council-manager , leader_title = List of mayors of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mayor , leader_name = Frank Scott Jr. , leader_ ...

Personal life

Adams was the stepfather of Civil War General

James Fleming Fagan James Fleming Fagan (March 1, 1828September 1, 1893) was an American farmer, politician, and senior officer of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. His brigade distinguished itself in the Camden Expedition of 1864, helping ...

Legacy

An engraving of Samuel Adams graced Arkansas Civil War treasury notes as well as he devoted Arkansas freedom.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Samuel 1805 births 1850 deaths 19th-century American politicians Acting Governors of Arkansas American planters American slave owners Democratic Party Arkansas state senators Burials at Mount Holly Cemetery Democratic Party governors of Arkansas People from Halifax County, Virginia State treasurers of Arkansas