Date Original
1941 January 14
Description
This collection contains a telegram from L.M. Williams to Homer M. Adkins upon Adkins' inauguration as governor.
Biographical/Historical Note
Homer Adkins was born near Jacksonville, Arkansas, in 1890. His father passed away when he was two years old and he was raised by his grandfather. As a boy, he worked as a grocery clerk and newspaper delivery boy. He attended school in Little Rock and completed a business course at Draughon's Business College in 1908. He graduated as a pharmacist in 1911 from Little Rock College of Pharmacy and worked as a pharmacist for five years before later becoming a salesman for Darrah and Company in Little Rock. During World War I, he attained the rank of Captain in the Sanitary Corps while serving in France. He married Miss Estelle Smith in 1921. Estelle served as a nurse in World War I in France, where she and Governor Adkins met. The Adkins maintained a home at Social Hill, near Malvern. Homer Adkins served two terms (1919-1923) as Sheriff and Collector of Pulaski County. In 1933, he was appointed collector for the Federal Internal Revenue at Little Rock. He filled this position until 1940, when he resigned to run for Governor. He was elected to serve as governor in 1940 and again in 1942. A major achievement of his administration was the refunding of the state highway department. New bonds were purchased by the RFC at a substantial savings in lower interest. During Governor Adkins' time as governor, the United States was engaged in World War II. Many war plant industries were located in Arkansas. Most were later purchased by private companies after the war. Governor Adkins' administration was very active in securing industries for Arkansas that would balance agriculture, business, and industry. Governor Adkins waged a vigorous but unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in 1944. He lost to Congressman J. William Fulbright. He was appointed as administrator of the Employment Security Division (1949-1952) by Governor Sid McMath. Governor Adkins died in 1964.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Arkansas
Language
English
Identifier
SMC.OV.077
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Homer Adkins telegram, SMC.OV.077
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Homer Adkins telegram, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
