El Dorado County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



JOHN W. GAINS
 
            The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Portsmouth, 
county of Hampshire, England, October 20th, 1825.  After leaving school he went 
to sea, which occupation he followed till in 1850, when he came to San 
Francisco.  After visiting Coloma he returned to Sacramento and soon opened the 
hotel known in those days as the Rialto.  It was located on L street.  This he 
abandoned on the breaking out of the cholera, and after another hotel venture in 
San Francisco which proved disastrous he returned to the mines and selected 
Salmon Falls as his future home; has been a resident ever since.  Has been 
Justice of Peace for over ten years; school trustee for sixteen years; water 
agent for nine years.  On April 1st, 1869, he purchased the business of Mr. 
Campbell, and has been in the mercantile trade since; has the only store in 
Salmon Falls.  He was the older of two children in his father�s family.  His 
father was an officer in the British Navy.
            Mr. Gains was married on the 11th day of November, 1847, to Miss 
Mary Ann Scurlock, of South Wales.  They have had three children, all born in 
Salmon Falls; Mary Louisa, now Mrs. Minor Miller, Elizabeth B. and Lillie E., 
deceased.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 225
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler