Jesse Augustus Gove (1824 - 1862)
Born at Weare (NH); died at Gaines’ Mill VA). Portrait by A. Tenney, 1874.
Portrait by A. Tenney, 1874.
Presented to the State by Mrs. Gove, 1874.

Jesse Augustus Gove (1824 - 1862) was born at Weare (NH). Educated at Norwich University (VT), Gove served as a lieutenant with the 9th U.S. Infantry during the War with Mexico (1846 - 1848). Returning to New Hampshire, Gove read law at the Concord law offices of Pierce & Minot (Franklin Pierce was another Mexican War hero).

Gove was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar and served as New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State (1850 - 1855). But he missed military service, and he secured a commission as Captain of Dragoons in the Regular Army. Gove was serving in Utah Territory when the Civil War began.

In 1861 Gove was commissioned Colonel of the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteers. The 22nd Massachusetts joined the Army of the Potomac, and Gove was killed in action at Gaines' Mill (VA).

Reference: Charles Bell, The Bench and Bar of New Hampshire (1894), p.403.
Location: First Floor, State House