Biographies

Born Alabama, ca. 1841
Died date, place unknown

Political Life:
- Representative in 14th (1874-75) Legislature from Hempstead (Austin, Fort Bend and Wharton Counties)
- Representative in 16th (1879) Legislature from Hempstead (Fort Bend, Wharton and Waller Counties)
- Delegate to 1873 State Colored Men's Convention

Personal Life:
- Born into slavery
- Also worked as a mechanic
- Wife (unknown name)

Born Pineville, near Alexandria, Louisiana, August 4, 1840 or 1842
Died Giddings, Texas, June 11, 1900

Political Life:
- Senator in 12th (1870-71) and 13th (1873) Legislatures from Brenham (Washington County)
- Seat was challenged by Democrat Seth Sheppard on the grounds that Gaines was a convicted felon and Gaines was removed though the charge was untrue

Personal Life:
- Born into slavery
- Also worked as a blacksmith, farmer, minister and sheepherder
- Married twice, first to Fanny Sutton in Louisiana in 1867, then to Elizabeth Harrison in 1870. Gaines was convicted of bigamy in a politically-motivated trial in 1873, but the charge was overturned on appeal. Two children.

Born South Carolina, ca. 1839
Died ca. 1886, place unknown

Political Life:
- Representative in 16th (1879) and 17th (1881-82) Legislatures from Hearne (Robertson County)

Personal Life:
- Born into slavery
- Also worked as a blacksmith and lawyer
- Reportedly killed by a white judge for rude remarks made in courtroom

Born: date, place unknown
Died date, place unknown

Political Life:
- Delegate to 1875 Constitutional Convention from Walker County
- Inexplicably, he resigned from the Constitutional Convention one day after it convened

Personal Life: Unknown

Born Virginia, ca. 1842
Died date, place unknown

Political Life:
- Representative in 16th (1879) Legislature from William Penn (Washington County)

Personal Life:
- Born into slavery
- Also worked as a farmer