Sixth Governor of Arkansas from 1860-1862 and State Supreme Court Associate Justice.  Born at Fontaine’s Ferry near Louisville, Kentucky, to Elias Rector and Fannie Bardell Thruston. He was the only one of their children to survive to maturity. Henry received the rudiments of an education from his mother, but his formal schooling was limited to two years spent at Francis Goddard’s school in Louisville. His mother remarried after his father’s death, and from age thirteen to nineteen, Henry had an unhappy childhood at the salt-works of his stepfather, Stephen Trigg, cutting and hauling wood. In 1835, at age nineteen, Henry left for Arkansas. The first and fifth governors, James and Elias Conway were his cousins, their mother Ann being his Aunt. In October 1838, Henry married Jane Elizabeth Field of Louisville, a niece to former territorial governor, John Pope. They had four sons, Frank N., William, Henry J., and Elias W., and four daughters, Ann Baylor, Julia Sevier, Fanny Thruston, and Ada E. His wife died in 1857, and he married Ernestine Flora Linke three years later. They had one child, Ernestine Flora. In 1848, he was elected to the Arkansas Senate, representing Perry and Saline counties. In his two terms, he devoted considerable attention to problems at the state penitentiary and acquired a reputation as a skilled debater. In 1852, he was chosen a Democratic presidential elector. Henry Rector was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1860. During his term Arkansas seceded from the Union and was admitted to the Confederate States of America. The constitution of Arkansas was rewritten reducing the term of office for Governor to two years. Henry left office in 1862 and served as a private in the state militia for the rest of the war. Henry participated in the 1874 constitutional convention. Henry died in Little Rock, Arkansas. (bio by: Shock)  Family links:  Spouse:  Jane Elizabeth Field Rector (1822 – 1857)*  Children:  Henry Massie Rector (1847 – 1904)*  Elias William Rector (1849 – 1917)*  Ada E Rector (1851 – 1853)*  Frances Thruston Rector Mitchell (1853 – 1913)* *Calculated relationship