http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wesley_Davis

John Wesley Davis (April 16, 1799 – August 22, 1859) was a doctor and a prominent U.S. politician during the 1840s.

Early life and education

Davis was born in New Holland, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 1799, and later moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, with his parents. Davis graduated from Baltimore Medical College in 1821, then moved to Carlisle, Indiana, in 1823 and practiced medicine there. He married Ann Hoover on November 19, 1820.

Political career

State politics

Davis started his political career as an unsuccessful candidate for the Indiana Senate in 1828. He instead became a state court judge in Indiana from 1829 to 1831. He was elected a member of the Indiana House of Representatives for 1831–1833, 1841–43, 1851–52, and in 1857. He was Speaker of the Indiana House in 1832–33, 1841–42, 1851–52.

National politics

He served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana in the 24th, 26th, 28th and 29th Congresses and was Speaker of the U.S. House in the 29th Congress. From 1848 to 1850 he was U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to China. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Indiana.

Governorship

Davis was appointed to the office of Governor of the Oregon Territory in 1853 by President Franklin Pierce. His appointment was not welcomed by Oregonians, however, and he left office just over a year later, with the position returning to his predecessor, Acting Governor George Law Curry. Pierce later appointed Curry to the position officially.

Death

Davis died in Carlisle, Indiana on August 22, 1859. He was buried at City Cemetery in Carlisle.