Joseph Henry Gainer (January 18, 1878 – December 15, 1945)[1] was the 26th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. He served seven terms, from 1913 until 1927.
Joseph H. Gainer | |
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26th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
In office January 1913 – January 1927 | |
Preceded by | Henry Fletcher |
Succeeded by | James E. Dunne |
Personal details | |
Born | Providence, Rhode Island | January 18, 1878
Died | December 12, 1945 | (aged 67)
Resting place | St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Christina McPherson |
Parent(s) | John and Margaret (Keogh) Gainer |
Residence | Providence, Rhode Island |
Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) Catholic University of America (LLB) |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Signature | |
Joseph Henry Gainer was born January 18, 1878, in Providence. His parents, John and Margaret (Keogh), were born in Ireland and settled in Providence's North End, where they operated a grocery store.[2] Gainer's father died when he was four, and three of his four brothers died in infancy.[2]
Gainer graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1896.[2][3] He received his bachelor's degree from Holy Cross College in 1899.[2][3][4] He went on to earn a law degree at The Catholic University of America in 1902,[2] and passed the Rhode Island bar examination the same year.[3]
Gainer practiced law in Providence, at one time partnering with future congressman George F. O'Shaunessy and Edward G. Carr under the name O'Shaunessy, Gainer, and Carr.[3]
Gainer married Christina McPherson of Quincy, Massachusetts, on April 22, 1915.[2] They had two daughters, Christine and Margaret, and a son, Joseph.[5] They lived on the East Side of Providence at 55 Grotto Avenue for 30 years.[2][6]
Gainer was a Roman Catholic, and member of St. Sebastian's Parish.[7]
Gainer was elected to the Providence School Committee in 1902.[2] Two years later, he was elected councilman, then in 1908 he became alderman.[2] In 1912, he lost the mayor's race against Republican incumbent Henry Fletcher by only 95 votes.[2] Running again in 1913, Gainer this time defeated Fletcher by 400 votes.[2] At age 34, Gainer was the youngest person elected mayor in Providence history at the time.[2][3]
In 1916, Gainer was a delegate to the 1916 Democratic National Convention.[8] By 1918, Gainer was so broadly popular with both Republicans and Democrats that he ran for the mayor's office unopposed.[2][3] He was said to be one of the most popular public officials who ever held office in the state.[3]
Gainer ran a progressive administration during World War I. Some notable events during this time:
In 1924, Gainer fought Governor William S. Flynn for nomination to the U.S. Senate.[5] Flynn defeated Gainer, and city Democrats persuaded Gainer to run for re-election as mayor, winning a seventh term.[5] Two years later, in 1926, Gainer ran against incumbent Aram Pothier for Governor. Although Gainer carried Providence, his popularity was not enough to win the state; he lost the election by over 16,000 votes.[2] After losing this election, Gainer returned to his law practice,[2] having served a total of seven terms of office.[5]
Gainer was ill for several months before he died December 15, 1945, with his family by his side at his home.[5] He is buried at St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket.[2] He was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 2014.[7]