Gaines - John
John GAINES
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 497
John Gaines, Sugar Grove, Tippecanoe County, is among the most prominent old settlers of Montgomery County. Born amid the wilds of Indiana, and reared in the school of frontier experience, he appreciates the many changes. His grandfather, Benj. Gaines, emigrated from England to America, and settled in Culpepper County, Virginia. He served in the revolution. In Culpepper County was born his son, Richard T., who went to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Shelby County, Kentucky, where he married Catharine Vincent, a native of that County.
Her father, John Vincent, was a colonial soldier in Braddock's defeat, and was first lieutenant throughout the revolution, in which war he was wounded. A cane spear picked up from the side of a hostile officer by John Vincent is now in the possession of the Gaines family. After marriage Richard and wife set out for the Northwest territory, with one John Connor, an Indiana trader. They established a trading-post in what is Franklin County, Indiana, about three-fourths of a mile from Brookville. There they traded with the Indians, and there, August 27, 1807, John Gaines, subject of this sketch, was born.
The [wife] of the Indian chief, John Green, was the family physician. In the spring of 1809 Richard Gaines started for Tennessee, and was never heard from after leaving Muscle Shoals. It was supposed he had suffered violence.
His wife remained in Franklin County, where she married Elija Barwick. She died in 1841, leaving two sons, John and Richard T. John saw the birthday of his state and County, remaining in Franklin County till twenty-two years of age.
At that time he started for Montgomery County, Indiana, to make his future home. His settlement is noticed in the history of the township. With $110 he has accumulated till he now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, good house, barn, etc. In politics Mr. Gaines has been loyal to whig and Republican principles. In 1860 he was elected County commissioner, which office he filled three years. He was again nominated but was defeated by four votes, the Republican boys being in the war.
Mr. Gaines was first married December 6, 1832, to Sarah Stewart, daughter of James and Elizabeth Stewart, of Tippecanoe County, Indiana. She was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1808, and died March 23, 1873, leaving four children: Richard T., Elizabeth, Catharine and Maria. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Gaines was next married to Mrs. Maria (Lee) Naylor, daughter of Judge Henry and Priscilla Lee, old and prominent settlers of Union township. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. One son, Richard T. Gaines, served as suttler in the civil war and fought at Mission Ridge - typed by kbz
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Source: Crawfordsville Star, Nov 19, 1885
Attica Ledger - John Gaines, of Sugar Groves, is probably the oldest native Hoosier now living. He was born at an Indian trading post in Franklin County Aug 27, 1807 and has been a constant resident of the state since that time. He was a resident nine years after Indiana was organized as a territory, two years before Tecumseh and his forces made an effort to resist the advance of the white settlrs and seven years before Indiana became a state. The Ledge doubts whether there is an older citizen of Indiana now living. If there is, we want to hear from him. - typed by kbz