Pearl Yeulela Gain
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth Date: May 1886 - Unknown
Christening:
Death: 24 Aug 1932 - South of Pana, Illinois
Burial: in Iuka Cemetery, Iuka, Marion, Illinois, USA
Cause of Death: Automobile accident south of Pana, Illinois
Parents
Father: William Jesse Gain {FGID: 99620888}
Mother: Mary Anna Cunningham {FGID: 99620726}
Spouses and Children
1. *William Manuel Beaver
Marriage: 7 Sep 1903 - Huntsville, Randolph, Missouri, USA
Children:
1. Paul Hoffman Beaver {FGID: 37435721}
2. Kenneth Elmer Beaver {FGID: 104032512}
Notes
General:
Newpaper article titled Little Pearl - the throwaway babyMarriage Notes (William Manuel Beaver)
byline a peek at our past by Dr. George Ross
It was not unusual for a child to be abandoned in this region a century ago, but the unique method, the beautiful baby, and the devotion of the adoptive parents combined to make the story of "Little Pearl" one that had been retold throughout many generations. The initial account was given in the Salem Herald Advocate of May 21, 1886.
"Quite an excitement was created in Iuka last Friday morning by the report that William Gain, a farmer living one mile west of this place, had found a baby lying in the ditch near the railroad track. Mr. Gain was up at midnight when he heard a strange noise. He called to his wife to listen, but they could not locate the noise nor make out what it was at that time, the wind being high. Supposing it to be some animal, they went to bed again. Mr. Gain arose at four o'clock the next morning and still heard the same noise. He then started out to investigate the matter, when some thirty rods west from his house, greatly to his suprise, he found a little babe in the ditch, almost exhausted from the cold and hunger, but still able to make sufficient noise to be heard the distance above mentioned." Another account, in the Globe-Democrat, added, "Its eyes were terribly swollen, the result of its long night of crying out of doors in the cool air." The local account continued, "Mr. Gain took the little one to his house where it is being tenderly cared for by Mrs. Gain. It is a female child thought to be about two weeks old, fair skin, dark hair and eyes, very scantily dressed when found. Its clothing consisted of a dress and a shirt made of new bleached muslin which had never been washed; the shirt (if it could be called such) was made of an old unbleached muslin, only one width with three pink stripes near the hem, such as is found on the end of a bolt; on the band of the shirt was found the letter 'Y,' made with a black thread and a letter 'P," made with indelible ink; the 'didy' it had on had been a flour sack bearing the brand of 'Pillsbury's Best XXXX, Minneapolis, Minn.' There were no wraps of any kind to protect the child from the chilling winds that blew all night. The theory of almost everyone is, that it was put off of the night train that passes at 10:45 o'clock east bound. Mr. and Mrs. Gain seem to be very much attached to the little one and say that they could not be induced, under any circumstances, to part with it.
A follow-up story, published in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of February 20, 1887, stated. "Many of the neighbors who had heard of the matter visited the Gain family and viewed the little waif. Some of them desired to adopt it, but Mr. and Mrs. Gain had previously concluded that it should remain with them. The little foundling rapidly recovered, and its foster parents named her Pearl. They visited St. Louis last Thursday, and the presence of the little castaway here created no little interest among the citizens, many of whom saw it and marveled at its beauty and intelligent features...while Mr. and Mrs. Gain are not possessed of much of this world's goods, little Pearl is as kindly cared for and as much loved by them as though she were, in reality, their own true child." A drawing of the babe accompanied the article.
Pearl seemed to blossom in the Gain home growing to adulthood, not only a beautiful and intelligent person, but possessing a kind and generous personality which endeared her to the entire Iuka community. A spark of romance was kindled between her and William Beaver (He was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Harrison) Beaver) and on September 7, 1903, they were wed. William and Pearl, according to the Iuka Centennial Book, moved to Orchardville where he worked in his uncle's general merchandise store. While there, their first son, Paul, was born August 15, 1904. Soon after this they returned to Iuka where William engaged in the grocery and feed business. Their second son, Kenneth, who was later to become Iuka's school superintendent, was born soon after.
Both William and Pearl were active and contributing citizens of Iuka. She participated in the Rebekah, Eastern Star, and Royal Neighbor lodges and assisted in organizing the Ladies Book Club and the parent-teacher group in Iuka. Mrs. Beaver was killed in an automobile accident south of Pana, Ill. on August 24, 1932. Mr. Beaver died January 28, 1937. Both are buried in the Iuka cemetery.
Per 1900 US Census: 6/14/1900, Stevenson Township, Marion County, Illinois
Head of household is 47 year old white male William J. Gain, born April 1853 in Illinois, his father in Virginia, his mother in Ohio. William is a farmer, and owns his farm free of mortgage. He has been married for 23 years to Mary A. Gain, 41 years old, born in June 1858 in Illinois, as were her parents. Their 17 year old son, Forrest Gain, was born August 1882 in Illinois, and is a farm laborer. Their 11 year old daughter, Estella E. Gain, was born in September 1888 in Illinois. The Gains have an adopted daughter, 14 year old Pearl Y. Gain, born May 1886, in Nova Scotia. Origin of parents is unknown.
Per 1910 US Census: 4/18/1910, Iuka Township, District 142, Marion County, Illinois
Head of household is 28 year old William Beaver, a merchant who owns his mortgaged home. He is 6 years in his first marriage to 24 year old Pearl beaver. They have had 2 children, but still living and at home. They are sons, 5 year old Paul and 8 month old Kenneth. All family members were born in Illinois, as were their parents.
Living in the same neighborhood, and listed on the same census page, is William's parents, Benjamin and Malinda, and their family.
Per 1920 US Census: 1/5/1920, Iuka Village, District 180, Marion County, Illinois
Head of household is 37 year old white male William Beaver, who owns his house free of mortgage. William is employed as a retail merchant in a grocery store. His wife is 33 year old Pearl Beaver. Their children are 15 year old son, Paul, and 10 year old son, Kenneth. Both boys are attending school. All family member were born in Illinois, as were their parents.
Per 1930 US Census: 4/3/1930, Iuka Village, District 17, Marion County, Illinois
Head of household is 47 year old white male William M. Beaver, who owns his house, valued at $2,500. He also owns a radio. The proprietor of a grocery store, William is not a veteran. William was born in Illinois, as were his parents. He first married when he was 20 years old, and his wife, Pearl, was 17. Pearl Y. Beaver is now 44 years old, and was born Missouri, her parents in Illinois. Their son, 20 year old Kenneth Beaver, is single, is not employed, and was born in Illinois.
Also living with the family is William's widowed mother, Elizabeth M. Beaver, who was born in Illinois, her father in Kentucky, her mother in Illinois. The census take wrote her age as 7, then scribbled over it.
Per 9/7/1903 Marriage License:
State of Missouri, County of Randolph, THIS LICENSE authorizes any judge of a Court of Record or Justice of the Peace, or any Licensed or Ordained Preacher of the Gospel, who is a citizen of the United States, to SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE between W. M. Beaver of Mobery in County of Randolph and state of Mo. who is over the age of twenty-one years, and Miss Pearl Y. Gain of Iuka in the County of and State of Illinois who is over the age of eighteen years.
<R.S.> Witness my hand as Recorder of Deeds, with the seal of office hereto affixed, at my office in Huntsville this 7th day of September 1903 Joe Bennett Recorder or Deeds
By J. N. Wayland Deputy.
State of Missouri, County of Randolph, THIS IS TO CERTIFY that the undersigned A Minister of the Gospel did, at Huntsville in said County, on the 7th day of September A.D. 1903 unite in Marriage the above named persons. And I further certify that I am a Citizen of the United States, and legally qualified under the laws of the State of Missouri to solemnize Marriages.
Rev. W. H. Kerer
The foregoing Certificate of Marriage was filed for record in my office on the 8 day Sept. A.D. 1903, at o'clock and minutes M.
Joe Bennett Recorder or Deeds
By Deputy.