Gustavus Hines

Reverend Gustavus Hines (September 6, 1809 – December 9, 1873) was an American missionary in Oregon Country. Working for the Methodist Mission in what became the state of Oregon, the New York native became involved in early attempts to form a government at the Champoeg Meetings in 1841. Later he served on the board of trustees for the Oregon Institute, which became Willamette University, and wrote several books on Oregon.

Early life Gustavus Hines was born on September 6, 1809, in Herkimer County, New York, to Betsy Round and James Hines. He then entered the ministry in 1832 as part of the Genesee Conference. The Reverend then joined missionary Jason Lee in 1839 as part of the Great Reinforcements for the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country.

Oregon Reverend Hines arrived in Oregon in 1840 aboard the ship Lausanne. He, his wife Lydia, and his sister-in-law all journeyed to the Pacific Northwest via Cape Horn at the tip of South America. At the February 1841 meetings at David Leslie’s home, Hines served as secretary for the legislative body gathered on French Prairie. These meetings did not create a government in 1841, but did elect Doctor Ira L. Babcock as a judge to deal with the estate of Ewing Young. Two years later continued meetings led the formation of the Provisional Government of Oregon. Hines' younger brother Harvey would journey to Oregon in 1853. After the closing of the Methodist Mission, Hines returned to New York in 1845.

Later life However, he would return to what became Oregon Territory in 1853. Gustavus Hines also wrote several books before dying in Oregon City, but buried at Lee Mission Cemetery in Salem. He died on December 9, 1873.

Works authored Oregon and Its Institutions; Comprising a Full History of the Willamette University. Carlton & Porter, 1868. A Voyage Round the World: With a History of the Oregon Mission and Notes of Several Years Residence on the Plains Bordering the... George H. Derby & Co., Buffalo: 1850. Wild life in Oregon:... Hurst & Co., New York: 1881.