John Pollard GAINES, Congress, KY (1795-1857)

GAINES John Pollard , a Representative from Kentucky; born in Augusta, Va. (now West Virginia), September 22, 1795; moved to Boone County, Ky., in early youth; received a thorough English training; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Walton, Ky.; volunteered for service in the War of 1812; represented Boone County for several years in the Kentucky legislature; served in the Mexican War as major in Gen. Thomas Marshall's Kentucky Cavalry Brigade and also as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen. Winfield Scott; captured at Incarnacion in January 1847 and was confined for several months in the City of Mexico; while in captivity was elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); unsuccessful candidate for reelection; appointed Governor of Oregon Territory in 1850 and served until the expiration of his term in 1853; resumed agricultural pursuits; died near Salem, Marion County, Oreg., December 9, 1857; interment in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Salem, Oreg.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present