calsfoundation@cals.org
October 20, 2009
Virginia native Solon Borland moved to Arkansas in 1843 to take charge of the newly founded Democratic Party newspaper, Arkansas Banner. Borland’s star rose quickly as he saw service as a major in the Arkansas regiment during the Mexican War. Later, he took over Ambrose Sevier’s seat in the U.S. Senate. After resigning his Senate seat in 1853, he served as U.S. minister to Nicaragua and other Central American republics. Borland saw minor service as a Confederate officer during the Civil War and died of illness on January 1, 1864.