GAINES, DAVID, a highly respected and substantial resident of Springfield, enjoying the comforts of a handsome home, situated at No. 2039 East Clay Street, is a retired farmer and deserving of honor as a veteran of the great Civil War. He was born in Western Tennessee, July 18, 1834, a son of John and Polly (Smith) Gaines, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in Tennessee. John Gaines came to the United States in early manhood and settled in Tennessee, where he was engaged in farm pursuits until the end of his life. He married there and his two children were born on the old homestead, the only survivor being David, of Springfield.

In the schools near his father's farm Mr. Gaines obtained his schooling, and farming became his occupation. In 1861 he moved to Illinois, settling in Jefferson County, where he resumed farming and continued until 1863 then enlisted for service in the Civil War. From Washington County, Ill., he entered Company I, Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained until the close of the war. He took part in a number of severe battles and did not escape all the dangers that attend war, being wounded by a shell at Nashville, Tenn. He was honorably discharged and mustered out at Paducah, Ky. After the war Mr. Gaines went to Missouri, where he visited for a time, but did not invest in farm land until after he returned to Washington County, Ill. After a few years of farm life there he sold to advantage and moved to Springfield in 1881, where he lived for a short time, then moved to Morrisonville, purchasing a residence there. In 1896 Mr. Gaines returned to Springfield and purchased his house on East Clay Street, together with other property, and this has remained his home.

Mr. Gaines was married in Tennessee, in July, 1856, to Miss Charlotte J. Marcrum, who was born in Kentucky, January 8, 1836, a daughter of Elijah and Hattie Marcrum, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, died on their farm in Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Marcrum had thirteen children, all of whom have passed away except Mrs. Gaines and a brother, the latter of whom lives near Centralia, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaines eight children were born and four of these are living, namely: Anna, wife of Henry Turner of Springfield; James, who lives in Oklahoma; Emma, who is the wife of Edward Goff, a plumber by trade, at Springfield; and Frank, who lives at home. There are seven living grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the Republican party and belongs to the G.A.R. Post at Morrisonville. Mr. Gaines is a man who has won the esteem of his fellow citizens through uprightness of character and those neighborly qualities which help smooth the pathway of life.