Peter (Hardeman) Burnett

Public official, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He went to Oregon (1843) and later led a group of goldseekers to California (1848), where he briefly served as John A Sutter's attorney. He was the first governor of California (1849–51) and president of the Pacific Bank in San Francisco.

Peter Hardeman Burnett (November 15, 1807 – May 17, 1895) was California's first Governor, serving from December 20, 1849 to January 9, 1851. He had previously served (during December 1849) as California's territorial and military governor.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Peter Hardeman Burnett was a classic figure of the American West. The man who would be elected California’s first Governor in 1849, earlier moved his family from Tennessee and Missouri to Oregon and later to California. As a young lawyer in Missouri, Burnett defended a group of Mormons – including Joseph Smith – who were accused of treason, arson and robbery.