HON. WILLIAM EMBRE GAINES.
The subject of this sketch is a Virginian, born in Charlotte county on
August 30, 1844. He is the second son of C. J. Gaines, Esq., who was
born, lived and died in Charlotte county. But few men lived a more
useful and honored life than did the senior Mr. Gaines, for thirty-three
consecutive years he held the position of magistrate; died on the 16th
day of March, 1885, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
At Smithfield, Isle of Wight county, Virginia, on October 10, 1866,
the subject of this sketch married Miss Loulie J. Langhorne, the
daughter of the Rev. Maurice J. Langhorne. This most estimable lady
died at her husband's residence at Burkeville, Virginia, on October 2,
1885, in the forty-first year of her age, leaving four children: Loulie L.,
Bassie D., Willie E. and Melissa V.
In his boyhood Mr. Gaines attended the schools of his native county;
in 1861 commenced an academic course in the county of Halifax, Virginia.
Hostilities commencing between the States at this period, he
enlisted in April, 1861, a member of the Charlotte Rifles, 18th Virginia
Regiment, afterwards a part of the famous Pickett's Division of the
Confederate States Army. He was engaged in nearly all of the battles
fought by the Army of Northern Virginia, commencing with the first
battle of Manassas; receiving promotion to adjutant of Manly's Battalion
of field Artillery; surrendering with the C. S. Army in May, 1865.
Immediately after the close of war Mr. Gaines engaged in mercantile
pursuits and has been successful in the business of dealer in leaf tobacco
in which business he is now engaged.
Mr. Gaines owns a beautiful home in the town of Burkeville, Nottoway
county, Virginia. He has served his people four years as mayor, and
is now president of the only bank in his town; was elected a member of
the Virginia Senate in 1883; in 1885 was the nominee of his party for
president of that body; was elected in 1886 by a majority of 8475 to a
seat in the 50th Congress of the United States, in which body he now
represents the 4th district of Virginia.
