WILLIAM THOMAS GAINES (1850 – 1926)

 

William Thomas Gaines was born in Henderson, Kentucky in 1850, the son of Thomas Gaines and Mary Jane Barret Gaines. He had one sister, named Catherine Gaines Mundy.  W.T., as he was called, was born into slavery.

 

William Thomas was educated at Roger Williams University In Nashville Tenn. and was among the first graduates of the University.  While as a student, he became involved with prison work devoting many hours teaching and inspiring the prisoners to rehabilitate their lives.  Returning to Henderson Ky, he became a schoolteacher.  He was involved in the temperance movement and toured the state lecturing for the cause.

 

He made a career change and entered the business world.  He became a grocer and then a plastering contractor like his father.  He also advised people and helped them secure land and build homes.

Gaines encouraged the use of the ballot by African-Americans and was elected alderman in Henderson.  He may have been run out of town for winning.

 

William Thomas was close to his sister Catherine Mundy and her family. W.T. and his nephew, Jackson Mundy, signed several legal documents together taking care of family business.  In the 1880 census W.T. was enumerated in a house on Main St. and lived with his parents and his sister's first child. Harris Barret, age 15.

 

On January 12, 1881 at age 30, W.T. married the beautiful Mamie Newcomb age 18, also of Henderson, KY.  Out of this marriage came six children, Morris Chester, Sadie Patrice, William Thomas Jr., Harris Barrett, Mamie Elizabeth and Virginia Gibbs.  In October 1894, his wife Mamie died.

 

In the 1900 Census, W.T. and family is listed with a new wife of one year, Susan.

 

In 1902, the family moved to Chicago.  W.T. continued his contracting work along with two of his sons and his daughter kept the books.  He became an outstanding figure in the building industry.  He was the only Colored member of the Employing Plasters’ Association, an international organization.  Through his efforts African Americans became involved in the building trades in Chicago. 

 

W.T. was an organizer and trustee of St. Clements Protestant Episcopal Mission in Henderson and remained active until his death.  He was a member of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows and a founder of Englewood Lodge 4230.

 

In March of 1926, 75-year-old William Thomas Gaines died peacefully at home, after a bout with pneumonia.  He was said to have been one of the best-known and successful colored businessmen in Chicago at the time.  He is buried at Lincoln Cemetery in the family plot.

 

Sources:

1880 and 1900 U S Census, Henderson, Kentucky

Marriage Bond, The Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1/12/1881

The Daily Journal, Henderson, KY, Wednesday, October 31, 1894

The Broad Ax, Chicago, IL, March 27, 1926.