Powell Clayton

US senator and governor, born in Bethel Co, Pennsylvania, USA. A civil engineer, he enlisted in Kansas regiments during the Civil War (1861–5), buying a plantation in Arkansas afterwards. As Arkansas governor (Republican, 1868–71), he attacked the Ku Klux Klan and issued $6 900 000 in bonds for railroad construction. Indicted for corruption, but never convicted, he served in the US Senate (Republican, Arkansas, 1871–7), later becoming US ambassador to Mexico (1897–1905).

Powell Clayton (7 August 1833 - 23 August 1914) was the first carpetbag Governor of the State of Arkansas and Ambassador to Mexico during the administrations of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

Clayton moved to Kansas in 1855 and served as an engineer at Leavenworth, Kansas.

During the American Civil War he served primarily in Arkansas and Missouri and fought in several battles in those States.

In 1868 he was elected the second Reconstruction governor of Arkansas and the first under the Congressional reconstruction plan.

Clayton remained the Republican boss of Arkansas until he was defeated in the election of 1876 by re-enfranchised ex-Confederates.

Clayton returned to Arkansas and in 1882 established a home at Eureka Springs, Arkansas where he managed hotels and railroads and worked for development of the area.

Clayton's administration made progress in getting the University of Arkansas on its feet, establishing a system of education, and bringing railroads into the State.

His brother, John Middleton Clayton was assassinated in 1889 at Plumerville, Arkansas in Conway County, Arkansas while attempting to dispute the outcome of his failed Congressional candidacy.

Preceded by: Isaac Murphy	Governor of Arkansas 1868–1871	Succeeded by: Ozra Amander Hadley
Preceded by: Alexander McDonald	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Arkansas 1871–1877	Succeeded by: Augustus H. Conway • Yell • Adams • Drew • Byrd • Roane • E. Conway • Rector • Flanagin • Murphy • Clayton • Hadley • Baxter • Garland • Miller • Churchill • Berry • Hughes • Eagle • Fishback • Clarke • Jones • Davis • Little • Moore • Pindall • Martin • Donaghey • Robinson • Oldham • Futrell • Hays • Brough • McRae • Terral • Martineau • Parnell • Futrell • Bailey • Adkins • Laney • McMath • Cherry • Faubus • Rockefeller • Bumpers • Riley • Pryor • Purcell • Clinton • White • Clinton • Tucker • Huckabee