John M. Clayton (Arkansas politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Clayton
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| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 2nd district |
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| Died before taking office | |
| Preceded by | Clifton R. Breckinridge |
| Succeeded by | Clifton R. Breckinridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Middleton Clayton
October 13, 1840 Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 29, 1889 (aged 48) Conway County, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sarah Ann |
| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Powell Clayton (brother) Thomas J. Clayton (brother) W. H. H. Clayton (twin) |
John Middleton Clayton (born October 13, 1840 – died January 29, 1889) was an American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Clayton served in the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas State Senate. In 1888, he ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He lost the election but challenged the results. Sadly, he was killed in 1889 while trying to prove he won. He was later declared the winner after his death. The person who killed him was never found.
John M. Clayton was also the brother of Powell Clayton, who was a governor and U.S. Senator for Arkansas. He had another brother, Thomas J. Clayton, who was a judge. His twin brother was W. H. H. Clayton, a U.S. Attorney.
Contents
Who Was John M. Clayton?
Where Did John M. Clayton Grow Up?
John Clayton was born on a farm in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania. His parents were John and Ann Glover Clayton. His family were early Quaker settlers in Pennsylvania.
One of Clayton's ancestors, William Clayton, came from Chichester, England. He was a friend of William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania. William Clayton was also a judge and part of Penn's Council.
When he was born, Clayton's father named him John Tyler Clayton. His father supported the Whig Party. But after President William Henry Harrison died, his father changed John's name to John Middleton Clayton. This was because he felt President John Tyler had not been loyal to the Whig Party.
Did John M. Clayton Fight in the Civil War?
During the Civil War, John Clayton was a Colonel. He served in the Army of the Potomac. He fought in several important battles in the eastern United States.
In 1867, he and his family moved to Arkansas. There, he managed a large farm. This farm belonged to his older brother, Powell Clayton. His brother Powell became the Governor of Arkansas the next year.
John M. Clayton's Political Career
Serving in Arkansas Government
In 1871, Clayton was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represented Jefferson County. In 1873, he served in the Arkansas Senate. He represented Jefferson, Bradley, Grant, and Lincoln Counties. He was also the temporary Speaker of the Senate for a time.
Clayton helped start the University of Arkansas. He was on its first board of trustees when it was created in 1871. Two years later, he helped bring the Branch Normal College to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Today, this school is known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The Brooks-Baxter War
Clayton was involved in the Brooks-Baxter War in 1874. This was a conflict over who should be the governor of Arkansas. The election was disputed between Joseph Brooks and Elisha Baxter.
Clayton supported Joseph Brooks. He gathered troops in Jefferson County. They marched to Little Rock, Arkansas, and fought against Baxter's supporters. Clayton remained loyal to Brooks until the end. President Ulysses S. Grant eventually decided that Baxter was the rightful governor.
Becoming Sheriff and Running for Congress
After the Reconstruction period, Clayton stayed active in Arkansas politics. With the help of black Republican voters, he became sheriff of Jefferson County in 1876. He was re-elected five times, serving two-year terms each time.
In 1888, he ran for the United States House of Representatives. He wanted to represent Arkansas's 2nd congressional district. He ran against Democrat Clifton R. Breckinridge. This election was known for being very unfair.
Clayton lost by a small number of votes. In one case in Conway County, masked men stole a ballot box. This box had many votes for Clayton. Because of these problems, Clayton decided to challenge the election results.
John M. Clayton's Assassination
Clayton went to Plumerville, Arkansas, to investigate the election issues. On January 29, 1889, someone shot him through a window. He was staying at a local boardinghouse and died instantly.
After his death, he was declared the winner of the election. Breckinridge lost his seat, and the position became empty. The person who killed John M. Clayton was never found.
John M. Clayton's Family Life
John Clayton was married to Sarah Ann. They had six children together. He is buried in Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
See also
- List of assassinated American politicians
- Clayton family
- List of unsolved murders
- List of members-elect of the United States House of Representatives who never took their seats
