Joseph H. Gainer
| Joseph H. Gainer | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 26th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
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In office January 1913 – January 1927 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | James E. Dunne |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 18, 1878 Providence, Rhode Island |
| Died | December 12, 1945 (aged 67) |
| Resting place | St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Christina McPherson |
| Parents | John and Margaret (Keogh) Gainer |
| Residence | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross, Catholic University of America |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Signature |  |
Joseph Henry Gainer (January 18, 1878 – December 15, 1945) was the 26th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. He served seven terms, from 1913 until 1927.
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. Gainer's father died when he was four, and three of his four brothers died in infancy.
Gainer graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1896. He received his bachelor's degree from Holy Cross College in 1899. He went on to earn a law degree at The Catholic University of America in 1902, and passed the Rode Island bar examination the same year.
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.
Gainer married Christina McPherson of Quincy, Massachusetts on April 22, 1915. They had two daughters, Christine and Margaret, and a son, Joseph. They lived on the East Side of Providence at 55 Grotto Avenue for 30 years.
Gainer was a Roman Catholic, and member of St. Sebastian's Parish.
Gainer was elected to the Providence School Committee in 1902. Two years later, he was elected councilman, then in 1908 he became alderman. In 1912, he lost the mayor's race against Republican incumbent Henry Fletcher by only 95 votes. Running again in 1913, Gainer this time defeated Fletcher by 400 votes. At age 34, Gainer was the youngest person elected mayor in Providence history at the time.
In 1916, Gainer was a delegate to the 1916 Democratic National Convention. By 1918, Gainer was so broadly popular with both Republicans and Democrats that he ran for the mayor's office unopposed. He was said to be one of the most popular public officials who ever held office in the state.
Gainer ran a progressive administration during World War I. Some notable events during this time:
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