The Family (Arkansas politics)

The Family (also called The Dynasty) was a political group of several Democrats and interrelated families whose men were active in Arkansas from the territorial era until the American Civil War. Several were politically powerful in Kentucky, and later Mississippi.

Founded by James Sevier Conway after the killing of his brother Henry Wharton Conway by Robert Crittenden in a duel, the Family became a political force due to its money and wide-ranging state and national political influence. Since most members were related by blood or marriage, the group was nicknamed "The Family".

As the state legislature disfranchised blacks after the Reconstruction era, when the Democratic Party regained control, the state effectively had one party. The Democratic Party dominated all elections in the state until after passage of federal civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s. In 1966, the Republican Winthrop Rockefeller was elected as governor.

The Family developed following a fatal duel between former friends Robert Crittenden and Henry Wharton Conway on October 27, 1827, near Napoleon, Arkansas.

Conway had served as territorial delegate for Arkansas, with Crittenden acting behind the scenes on his behalf. After the resignation of Territorial Governor Miller in 1824, Conway nominated Crittenden to fill the position. President James Monroe appointed George Izard instead.

Crittenden continued as secretary of state. He and Conway disagreed over the latter's decision not to seek re-election in 1825. Conway defeated Robert Oden, who was backed by Crittenden.

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