Background
Elisha Baxter was born on September 1, 1827, in Rutherford County, North Carolina, the son of William Baxter, an Irishman, and his second wife, Catherine (Lee) Baxter.
Elisha Baxter was born on September 1, 1827, in Rutherford County, North Carolina, the son of William Baxter, an Irishman, and his second wife, Catherine (Lee) Baxter.
Elisha Baxter obtained an appointment as a cadet to the United States Military Academy at West Point, but later resigned and studied law.
Elisha Baxter moved to Arkansas in 1852 where he opened a general store at Batesville with his brother Taylor. Two years later they went into bankruptcy, but ultimately paid all their debts. Elisha then worked in a printing office and studied law. He was elected to the legislature in 1854 and 1858, was a Whig and opposed secession, but for a time held the office of prosecuting attorney under the Confederate state government. When Gen. S. R. Curtis entered Batesville, Baxter cast in his lot with the Union but refused to fight against friends. Forced to leave Batesville, he took his family to Missouri, but was captured and brought to trial at Little Rock on a charge of treason. Escaping from prison, possibly with connivance, he raised the 4th Arkansas Mounted Infantry (Union) and was placed in command at Batesville.
Upon the organization of the loyal Murphy state government in 1864, he was elected to the supreme court, but soon resigned on election to the United States Senate. By this time Congress had become wary of Lincoln's plan of reconstruction, and the Wade-Davis Bill was passed in opposition. Several efforts were made to secure the admission of Baxter to the Senate but all attempts failed, the most favorable vote being 18 to 27. The case was important as setting a precedent for the other Southern states. In 1868 Baxter became judge of the third circuit under the Reconstruction government.
Four years later, in an effort to stem the tide of adverse public sentiment due to the misgovernment of the carpetbag régime, the regular Republicans ("Minstrels"), headed by Powell Clayton, nominated Baxter for governor on a reform platform. But the "Brindletail" faction refused to accept him and nominated Joseph Brooks on a platform calling a little more forcefully for the removal of political disabilities from the whites. The Democrats endorsed Brooks. The campaign was a heated one, but Baxter was elected by a majority of 2, 919. Brooks at once contested the result; the legislature, however, supported Baxter, who was inaugurated January 6, 1873. In his inaugural Baxter promised to carry out reforms, and in a few days the legislature submitted an amendment reenfranchising the whites.
Satisfied with this, the Democrats began to lose interest in Brooks, but he did not give up the contest. He tried both the supreme court and a local court, but his case hung fire and many of his Republican friends deserted him. As Baxter continued his program of reform some of the regular Republicans became alarmed and left him for Brooks, but Senators Clayton and Dorsey, the former being the Republican boss, stood by him for another year. Baxter had opposed a bill for the issuance of more bonds for aid to railroads; when in March 1874 he refused to issue any more of those already authorized, because convinced of crookedness in the affair, even Clayton and Dorsey deserted him for Brooks. By a clever move the latter now secured a decision from the supreme court in his favor and seized the executive office. Baxter refused to yield, and both called out the militia.
In proportion as the Republicans abandoned Baxter the Democrats rallied to his side. Both parties appealed to Washington. At first President Grant was inclined toward Brooks, but after investigation left the decision to the legislature. The amendment to reenfranchise the whites had been adopted, and special elections to fill vacancies had given the Democrats a majority in the legislature. This body again decided for Baxter, and Brooks was forced to retire. The legislature then called a convention to draw up a constitution, which was adopted by a very large majority. The Democratic nomination was open to Baxter for reelection, but he declined and retired to his home in Batesville, where he resumed his law practise and engaged in farming until he died.
Elisha Baxter was a member of the Republican party.
In 1849, Elisha Baxter married Harriet Patton of Rutherford County, by whom he had six children.