José Francisco Gana Castro

José Francisco Gana Castro (February 19, 1828 - August 7, 1894) was the Chilean Minister of Defense from October 15, 1890, to March 29, 1891, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from August 22, 1888, to September 4, 1891, and was a notable participant of the War of the Pacific before being exiled to Spain after the defeat of the Balmaceda Government. He was also one of the founders of the Mulchén throughout the planning of the foundations of the city.

Biography Castro was born on February 19, 1828, as the son of Rafael Gana López and Benigna Castro Cruz. At the age of 15, he entered the Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy before going to study military engineering at France at the Metz Military School in 1843. He also married Carmen Vicuña Cañas around 1838. During the Chilean Civil War of 1891, he supported the Government of José Manuel Balmaceda but were decisively defeated at the Battle of Placilla on August 28, 1891. This caused all supporters of Balmaceda's government exiled and General Gana took refuge in the United States embassy at Santiago before going into exile in Barcelona where he remained until his death on August 7, 1894. His corpse was then recovered and given a burial at the Santiago General Cemetery on November 25, 1894.