GAINER: Stock man on Ripley turnpike, father of “Allie” Gainer, business man of Spencer.
Austin Scott Gainer, first of this name here, was born in Barbour County, W. Va., son of
Nicholas and Phoebe (Poling) Gainer, natives of the Monongahela Valley, whose later home
was in Gilmer County, where Austin Scott, the son, grew to manhood on his father’s stock farm.
In the year 1873, in Gilmer County, W. Va., Austin Scott Gainer and Miss Susan Missouri
Barnett were united in marriage. She a daughter of the Reverend Allison and Mary (Hickman)
Barnett, his wife, of Doddridge County, W. Va. Austin and Susan M., his wife, made their home
in Doddridge County, stock raisers on a farm, where were born all of their children, until the
year 1900. In that year they acquired the large farm on Tanners Run, on the Spencer and Ripley
turnpike, and established on it the family home. Converted this farm into a good stock farm and
has plied the business of raising, buying and shipping live stock ever since. To Austin Scott and
Susan M. (Barnett) Gainer have been born and by them brought up the following named
children: Allison Barnett, Nicholas Beeson, Gay, Mary Belle, Dollie, Clarence, Alfred and
Granyule. Their marriages, further: Allison B. married in Jackson County, W. Va., Miss Grace
Parrish, on April 15, 1903. They have made their home in Spencer ever since, where he has
conducted several mercantile businesses in these twenty-four years. Elected and served one
term or more as a Justice of the Peace of Spencer District. Mayor of the town of Spencer one or
more terms. Their children: Haymond and Clariee. Mary Belle Gainer married a Mr. Robinson,
of Gilmer County. Dollie married Lewis Bolty in Roane County, January 14, 1903, her age 21,
his age 25. Both born in Doddridge County. Gay Gainer to William E. Donaway, August 18,
1903, his age 24, her’s 21. She was born in Roane and he in Wood County, W. Va. He died a
few years after marriage and left a daughter, Roxie. Alfred Gainer, son of Austin Scott and
Susan M., married Miss Leeta Crislip, December 20, 1902, his age 24, her’s 20. Clarence
Gainer married Lana Kelley, December 8, 1915, his age 25, her age 24. He was born in
Doddridge County, she in Roane, daughter of Albert Kelley. Granville Gainer married Miss
Corba Davis, September 6, 1913. He was born in Doddridge and she in Roane County.
Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927, William H. Bishop, Esq., p. 525-526
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@aol.com
November 28, 1999
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