Gaines - John
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal , October 22, 1892
John Gaines, the oldest native of Indiana and one of the oldest settlers in Montgomery county, died Thursday at the residence, of his daughter, Mrs. W.H. Banister of Terre Haute, whither he went last week to visit and attend the Methodist conference. The funeral notice will appear later. John Gaines came from an old Virginia family, but was born in Franklin county, Indiana, August 27, 1807. The officiating physician on this occasion was the squaw of the famous Indian chief John Green. When John was two years old, his father Richard Gaines, left on a trip for Tennessee and was never again heard from. He is suppose to have met with foul play. In 1841, John left Franklin county and arrived in Crawfordsville, foot sore and weary. His first nights rest in the county was in the old Crain tavern north of this city and he slept in the attic while the snow poured through the wide cracks completely covering him during the night. With $110 he entered 80 acres in Coal Creek township and during the winter made 44,000 rails and 15,000 stakes, fencing with them 400 acres doing his hauling with an ox team. Mr. Gaines was married twice, first to Sarah Steward in 1832, by whom he had children, Richard, Elizabeth, Catherine and Maria. After her death in 1873 he was married to Mrs. Maria Naylor, the daughter of Judge Henry Lee. Mr. Gaines served as county commissioner from 1850 to 1863. He was a staunch Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist church. He has been living in the city form the past year having rented his farm in Coal Creek. Mr. Gaines was the oldest native Hoosier and a man every way worthy that dignity. His sterling manhood fitly typified the class of men who settled the great Hoosier State and he dies lamented by all who knew him. - thanks to Kim H
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Friday, 21 October 1892
The funeral of the late John Gaines will occur from the residence tomorrow morning at 7:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. G. W. Switzer. At 8 o’clock the procession will leave for Sugar Grove where further services and the interment will occur at 11 o’clock. - thanks to s for this one