Ozra (or Ozro) Amander Hadley (June 30, 1826 – July 18, 1915) was an American politician who served as the actinggovernor of Arkansas from 1871 to 1873. He also served in the Arkansas Senate. A Republican, he was from New York and became a farmer in Minnesota. He also served in local government before moving to Arkansas and opening a general store. After his political career he served in the U.S. Land Office in Little Rock and as a postmaster.
Hadley was elected as a Republican to serve in the Arkansas Senate from 1869 to 1871; he was elected president of the Senate in 1871.[1] In 1871, as part of a political compromise (see: Brooks-Baxter War), Hadley was appointed acting governor after the resignation of his fellow Republican, Powell Clayton, a controversial figure associated with the Brooks-Baxter War. During his two-year term, Hadley sided with the Radical Republicans during the Reconstruction Era, including efforts to assist former slaves to obtain schooling, own land, vote, and hold office.
During a period of political and civil troubles that came to be called the Pope County Militia War, Major General D. P. Upham was sent by Hadley to provide aid in Pope County "as is or may be necessary to execute the civil and criminal law of the state." The orders gave Upham discretionary power in the use of force and the power to call state guards and enrolled militia into service.[2] Some state guards were utilized in the county during voter registration and the November general election but were dismissed to return home after the election.
After his gubernatorial term, Hadley served as registrar of the U.S. Land Office. He was appointed as Little Rock's postmaster in 1878, and served until 1882.
^"Special Orders No. 123". Daily Arkansas Gazette. No. 244 - 53rd year. Little Rock, Arkansas. September 8, 1872. p. 1. Maj. Gen. D. P. Upham... being advised that the enforcement of the civil and criminal law is obstructed to such an extent in Pope county, Ark., as to render it dangerous, if not impossible, for the sheriff to enforce the same with an ordinary posse, is hereby directed to proceed forthwith to said county of Pope with such aid as is or may be necessary to execute the civil and criminal law of the state.
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