John Whiteaker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Governor of Oregon | |
| In office July 8, 1858 – September 10, 1862 | |
| Preceded by | George Law Curry as Territorial Governor |
| Succeeded by | A. C. Gibbs |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Williams |
| Succeeded by | Melvin Clark George |
| 6th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1868–1869 | |
| Preceded by | Francis A. Chenoweth |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Hayden |
| President of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1876–1879 | |
| Preceded by | Robert B. Cochran |
| Succeeded by | Solomon Hirsch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1820 Dearborn County, Indiana |
| Died | October 2, 1902 (aged 82) Eugene, Oregon |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nancy Jane Whiteaker |
| Children | 6 |
| Profession | Farmer |
| Inaugurated in 1858, but did not assume office until statehood bill passed in February 1859. | |
John Whiteaker (May 4, 1820 – October 2, 1902) was an American politician, soldier, and judge. A native of Indiana, he joined the army during the Mexican–American War and then prospected during the California Gold Rush. After moving to the Oregon Territory, he served as a judge and member of the legislature. A Democrat, Whiteaker served as the first state Governor of Oregon from 1859 until 1862 and later was Oregon's Congressman from 1879 to 1881. He also was president of the Oregon State Senate and Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.