Francis Cherry (governor)
Francis Cherry | |
|---|---|
Cherry in 1954 | |
| Probate Judge of the Twelfth Chancery District Court of Arkansas | |
| In office 1942–1942 | |
| In office 1944–1952 | |
| 35th Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office January 13, 1953 – January 11, 1955 | |
| Lieutenant | Nathan Green Gordon |
| Preceded by | Sid McMath |
| Succeeded by | Orval Faubus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francis Adams Cherry September 5, 1908 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 15, 1965 (aged 56) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Oaklawn Cemetery, Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University University of Arkansas School of Law |
| Occupation | Politician, judge |
Francis Adams Cherry (September 5, 1908 – July 15, 1965) was an American politician and judge.[1] A Democrat, he served as the 35th governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955. The Arkansas government was known for its honesty during his administration, though Cherry went on to mishandle the state economy.
Life and career
Cherry was born on September 5, 1908, in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest of five children child the conductor Haskille Cherry and Clara Belle (née Taylor) Cherry.[2] He later lived in Enid, Oklahoma, graduating from high school there in 1926. He attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Arkansas School of Law, graduating in 1930 and 1936, respectively.[3]
In 1939, Cherry began serving commissioner of the court of Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was later a referee of a workmen's compensation commission. A Democrat, he was elected probate judge of the Twelfth Chancery District Court of Arkansas in 1942, though relinquished his power in order to serve in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Navy during World War II; he was ranked lieutenant.[2] He again became judge of the 12th District after being discharged in 1944, serving until 1952.[3][4][5]
From January 13, 1953, to January 11, 1955, Cherry served as governor of Arkansas.[3] Politically, he was an anti-communist populist. During his campaign, he used the radio broadcasts to speak to the populous by answering their questions. He promised reforms and his tenure was described as "noted for its honesty" and had made the state economically stable.[6] Though, he was underqualified for governor, as later described by the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.[2] He grew unpopular due to keeping taxes on crops high amidst a drought. After being succeeded by Orval Faubus, he moved to Washington, D.C. and served on the Subversive Activities Control Board during the presidencies of Dwight D. Eisenhower, John K. Kennedy, and Lyndon B. Johnson.[2]
On November 10, 1937, Cherry married Margaret Frierson. He had three children.[7] In 1963, he underwent heart surgery, dying on July 15, 1965, aged 56,[2] in Washington, D.C., from heart disease.[6] He is buried at Oaklawn Cemetery, in Jonesboro, Arkansas.[4]
References
- ^ Onofrio, Jan (1998). Arkansas Biographical Dictionary. Somerset. p. 67. ISBN 9780403098514 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e "Francis Adams Cherry (1908–1965)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Gov. Francis Adams Cherry". National Governors Association. January 15, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Francis Cherry papers, 1952-1955". Arkansas Digital Archives. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ "Death Claims Francis Cherry At Washington". Baxter Bulletin. Mountain Home, Arkansas. Associated Press. July 22, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Death Claims Former Gov. Francis Cherry". The Sun. July 15, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Cherry". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved February 6, 2026.