GOVERNOR JOHN WHITEAKER
March 3, 1859— September 10, 1862
To John Whiteaker belongs the honor of having been the first Governor of the State of Oregon. He was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, on May 4,^ 1820. He went to California in I 849 and after two years returned to Missouri. With his family, he crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852, locating in Lane county. He served as judge of Lane County, was a member of the Territorial Legislature, served three terms in the Oregon house of representatives and one term as State senator. He was speaker of the house in the session of 1 868, and was president of the senate in 1876, and again in 1878. He is the only Governor of Oregon who served in the legislature after having been the chief executive.
Supposing the new constitution which had been adopted by the people of Oregon had been accepted by Congress, and the state admitted into the Union, an election for state officers was held in 1858, resulting in the choice of Mr. Whiteaker for Governor. As before stated, Oregon was not admitted, however, until February 14, 1859; and as soon as news of the fact reached Oregon Mr. Whiteaker assumed the duties of his new position. It was during his term of office as Governor that Fort Sumter was fired upon and the great Civil War begun. He guided the affairs of state with moderation during those trying times and all GOVERNOR JOHN WHITEAKER
