Francis Cherry (governor)

Francis Cherry
Cherry in 1954
Probate Judge of the 12th 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
LieutenantNathan Green Gordon
Preceded bySid McMath
Succeeded byOrval Faubus
Personal details
Born
Francis Adams Cherry

(1908-09-05)September 5, 1908
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
DiedJuly 15, 1965(1965-07-15) (aged 56)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic[1]
Alma materOklahoma State University
University of Arkansas School of Law
OccupationJudge

Francis Adams Cherry (September 5, 1908 – July 15, 1965) was an American judge and politician.[2] A member of the Democratic Party, he served as probate judge of the 12th Chancery District Court of Arkansas in 1942 and again from 1944 to 1952 and as governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955.[3]

Life and career

Cherry was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of Haskill Cherry, a railroad conductor, and Clara Belle.[4] He attended Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1930. After graduating, he attended the University of Arkansas School of Law, earning his law degree in 1936.[3]

Cherry briefly served as probate judge of the 12th Chancery District Court of Arkansas in 1942, before he served in the United States Navy during World War II, which after his discharge, he served again as probate judge of the chancery district court from 1944 to 1952.[5][6] After his service as probate judge, he served as governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955.[3]

Death

Cherry died on July 15, 1965, at his home in Washington, D.C., at the age of 56. He was buried at Oaklawn Cemetery.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Arkansas". The Des Moines Register. Des Moines, Iowa. November 5, 1952. p. 4. Retrieved April 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Onofrio, Jan (1998). Arkansas Biographical Dictionary. Somerset. p. 67. ISBN 9780403098514 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c "Gov. Francis Adams Cherry". National Governors Association. January 15, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  4. ^ "Francis Adams Cherry". 1910 United States Federal Census. Retrieved July 4, 2025 – via Ancestry.com. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b "Francis Cherry papers, 1952-1955". Arkansas Digital Archives. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "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.