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.

[2] The Reverend then joined missionary Jason Lee in 1839 as part of the Great Reinforcements for the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country.

[5] At the February 1841 meetings at David Leslie’s home, Hines served as secretary for the legislative body gathered on French Prairie.

[2] There he was involved as a trustee for Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, including work on the committee that designed Waller Hall.

[9] Gustavus Hines also wrote several books before dying in Oregon City, but buried at Lee Mission Cemetery in Salem.