John Pollard Gaines | |
|---|---|
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| 3rd Territorial Governor of Oregon | |
| In office August 18, 1850 – May 16, 1853 | |
| President | Millard Fillmore |
| Preceded by | Kintzing Prichette |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Lane (as Acting Territorial Governor) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 10th district | |
| In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Tibbatts |
| Succeeded by | Richard H. Stanton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1795 Augusta County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | December 9, 1857 (aged 62) Salem, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouses |
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| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
John Pollard Gaines (September 22, 1795 – December 9, 1857) was a U.S. military and political figure. He was a Whig member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Kentucky from 1847 to 1849, and he served as Governor of the Oregon Territory from 1850 to 1853, stepping down after a turbulent term in office. He was the owner of Margaret Garner, whose enslavement and sexual assault is the basis for Toni Morrison's novel, Beloved.