17th Arkansas Governor, Born in Virginia to a successful farming family, he graduated from the University of Virginia in 1855. While working as a schoolteacher, he began studying law, eventually passing the Illinois bar in 1857. He moved to Arkansas, where he also began practicing law. In 1861, he was named as a Unionist delegate to the secession convention, but ended up voting for secession. When war came to Arkansas, he left the state, serving as the editor of the "St. Louis Democrat" newspaper. Following the fall of Little Rock, Arkansas in 1863, Fishback was asked to return to Arkansas and raise a Union Army regiment. Instead he started a newspaper, "The Unconditional Union". He attempted to construct a Loyalist government and was instrumental in drafting the Loyalist Constitution of 1864. He was elected to the United States Senate; however, Congress would not allow him to take his seat. After the war, Fishback became the federal treasury agent for Arkansas, and also practiced law in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He changed his party loyalty from Republican to Democrat, becoming the Democratic nominee for the State Legislature, where he served until 1881. He drafted the "Fishback Amendment," which attempted to reduce much of Arkansas’ debt at the time. The amendment was passed during the 1884 general election. He became the Democratic nominee for governor in 1892, soundly defeating two other candidates. As governor, he worked toward vigorously promoting the state of Arkansas. After leaving public office in 1895, he resumed his legal practice in Fort Smith. He died of a stroke in 1903.
17th Arkansas Governor, Born in Virginia to a successful farming family, he graduated from the University of Virginia in 1855. While working as a schoolteacher, he began studying law, eventually passing the Illinois bar in 1857. He moved to Arkansas, where he also began practicing law. In 1861, he was named as a Unionist delegate to the secession convention, but ended up voting for secession. When war came to Arkansas, he left the state, serving as the editor of the "St. Louis Democrat" newspaper. Following the fall of Little Rock, Arkansas in 1863, Fishback was asked to return to Arkansas and raise a Union Army regiment. Instead he started a newspaper, "The Unconditional Union". He attempted to construct a Loyalist government and was instrumental in drafting the Loyalist Constitution of 1864. He was elected to the United States Senate; however, Congress would not allow him to take his seat. After the war, Fishback became the federal treasury agent for Arkansas, and also practiced law in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He changed his party loyalty from Republican to Democrat, becoming the Democratic nominee for the State Legislature, where he served until 1881. He drafted the "Fishback Amendment," which attempted to reduce much of Arkansas’ debt at the time. The amendment was passed during the 1884 general election. He became the Democratic nominee for governor in 1892, soundly defeating two other candidates. As governor, he worked toward vigorously promoting the state of Arkansas. After leaving public office in 1895, he resumed his legal practice in Fort Smith. He died of a stroke in 1903.
Bio by: pacifica
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