Reuben R. Gaines

Reuben Reid Gaines (October 30, 1836 – October 13, 1914) was a lawyer and judge who served as justice of the Supreme Court of Texas from November 1886 to January 1911. He served as the court's chief justice from 1894 until his retirement in 1911.

Early life and education Gaines was born on October 30, 1836, in Sumter County, Alabama, to Joab—a slaveowner—and Lucinda Gaines (née McDavid). Of an educated father, he himself studied law at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1855 with a Bachelor's, as well as attending the College of William & Mary and Cumberland University, graduating from the latter in 1857. He married Louisa Shortridge on March 30, 1859, having one child together. During the American Civil War, he served under Joseph E. Johnston and surrendered in May 1865.

Legal career Having practiced law in Alabama from 1858 to 1861, Gaines and his wife moved to Clarksville, Texas. There, he became an active Democrat and practiced law with Benjamin H. Epperson. He served as judge of the Sixth Judicial District of Texas from 1876 until his resignation in 1884. and was then re-elected in 1888 and 1894. Succeeding John W. Stayton as Chief Justice in 1894 when appointed by Jim Hogg, he was re-elected as Chief Justice in 1900 and 1906, serving until his retirement January 5, 1911. He was known for his avoiding biases, and was said to speak for nobody, including himself.

After retiring, he moved into the Driskill Hotel in Austin, dying there on August 13, 1914, aged 77, of a stroke.