Ozra Amander Hadley

Ozra (or Ozro) Amander Hadley (June 30, 1826 – July 18, 1915) was an American politician who during the Reconstruction era was the acting governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas, from March 5, 1871, to January 6, 1873.

Biography

Hadley was born in Cherry Creek, New York, and was educated in the public schools. He attended Fredonia Academy, now State University of New York at Fredonia.

Hadley moved to Minnesota in 1855, where he was a farmer and became active in local politics. He was appointed a county auditor.

After the American Civil War, Hadley relocated to Arkansas, where he became a merchant.

Career

Hadley was elected as a Republican to serve in the Arkansas Senate from 1869 to 1871; he was elected president of the Senate in 1871.^[1]

In 1871, as part of a political compromise (see: Brooks-Baxter War), Hadley was appointed acting governor after the resignation of his fellow Republican, Powell Clayton, a controversial figure associated with the Brooks-Baxter War. During his two-year term, Hadley sided with the Radical Republicans and denied assistance to re-enfranchised whites.

After his gubernatorial term, Hadley served as registrar of the U.S. Land Office. He was appointed as postmaster at Little Rock, a position which he filled from 1878 to 1882.

Later life

In his later years, Hadley moved to Watrous, now a ghost town in Mora County, New Mexico, where he developed a ranch. He died in Watrous in 1915.

See also

• National Governors Association
• Brooks–Baxter War
• Arkansas Militia in Reconstruction

References

External links

• National Governors Association