John Gaines

John Gaines: The Man Who Named Keokuk

Written by Erika Berrett

Early Life and Move West

John Gaines was born on December 23, 1803, in Ontario County, New York. At the age of 18, in 1821, he left his family home and ventured west, spending several years in the Rocky Mountains. His life in the untamed wilderness set him on a course toward the frontier, where he would later make his mark in the small but growing village that became Keokuk, Iowa. Gaines’s rugged experiences in the mountains and his move to St. Louis, Missouri, shaped his character, leading him to eventually settle in what was then a remote trading post along the Mississippi River.

The First Postmaster and Justice of the Peace

Gaines was more than just an early settler in the area. He became deeply involved in the community's development. Appointed by Governor Henry Dodge, Gaines became the first justice of the peace in Keokuk in the winter of 1837. As the town’s first postmaster, Gaines played a crucial role in establishing essential services, helping to lay the foundation for the town’s growth. Known for his no-nonsense approach to justice, Gaines administered the law with a directness that earned him both respect and criticism. According to one contemporary account, "he administered what he honestly believed to be justice, without reference to law, which he never read and for which he had sovereign contempt." His methods may have been unconventional, but they were effective in maintaining order in a lawless frontier.

Naming the City of Keokuk

John Gaines is most famously remembered for his role in naming the city of Keokuk. The origins of the name have been debated, but Gaines's involvement is central to its establishment. In September 1834, a small group of men gathered in his saloon, discussing the future of the growing settlement. As the group struggled to agree on a name for the town, Gaines seized the moment. He spoke at length about the Sauk Chief Keokuk, praising him for his leadership and friendship with white settlers. He then issued a challenge to those present: "All persons in favor of the name of Keokuk will please step forward and drink." Most of the men accepted his offer, raising their glasses in a toast, and thus the town was officially christened Keokuk.

Legacy and Death

Gaines’s influence extended beyond the naming of Keokuk. He was a figure of importance in the Half-Breed Tract, a region of Iowa designated for people of mixed Native American and European descent. His wife, Lucy Gaines, was a powerful figure in her own right, controlling elections in the region and offering charity to those in need. John Gaines died on April 21, 1839, at the young age of 36. He was laid to rest in Keokuk's Oakland Cemetery, where his grave, once neglected, has now become a part of the town’s history.

His impact on the early development of Keokuk remains, though his name may not be as widely remembered today as it once was. As one observer noted in the years following his death, "All that remains to perpetuate his name is a rough limestone monument... This is the only remaining tomb indicating a hallowed spot of ground, once held sacred by every pioneer." Though time may have eroded the physical markers of his life, Gaines’s contributions to Keokuk’s founding and identity endure.

Unique Impact

What made John Gaines truly unique was his combination of frontier ruggedness and civic engagement. He was a man who had "roughed around in a new country for several years where there was very little civilization, still the innate gentility always predominated." His leadership, both as a postmaster and as the justice of the peace, was grounded in a deep sense of responsibility to the community, even if his methods were unorthodox. Through his efforts, the town of Keokuk gained not only a name but also a legacy of leadership and commitment to the frontier spirit that defined its early years.

Sources:

1. Bickel Obituaries Pg. 84, 119, 224

2. HOW KEOKUK & RAT ROW GOT THEIR NAMES by Tom Gardner, Keokuk Confluence Magazine, Winter 2014 Edition

3. The Constitution, May 5, 1875

4. The Daily Gate City, January 16, 1871