Major John P. Gaines

John Pollard Gaines, 1795-1857, fought in the War of 1812, served in the state legislature from 1825-36, was a major in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry and an aide-de-camp to Gen. Winfield Scott in the Mexican War, was elected to Congress in 1847-49 while a prisoner of war, and served as Governor of the Territory of Oregon from 1850-53 after appointment by President Zachary Taylor, his comrade in arms in Mexico.

Kentucky · United States