Introduction to the Cain Family

The family patriarch and matriarch are James Alan and Mary Lou Belle Garner Cain. There is some uncertainty of the way James’s middle given name was spelled — “Allen” or “Alan.” For example, on the back of the photo at top, the photo’s description was annotated “James Alan”. Other family sources indicate the proper name to be James Allen; until proved definitively incorrect we will continue with Alan. Regardless of the spelling, he apparently went by or was known as Alan Cain as Mary Walker referred to him as Uncle Alan, so we will also make further references as Alan Cain.

Alan was born approximately July 18, 1857 in Tennessee. His mother was of German heritage; his father was probably of mixed Scotch-Irish descent.

Mary Lou Belle Garner was born to George and Martha Hamilton Garner September 23 1868 in Arkansas. Little is known about the Garner lineage except that Martha Hamilton had some Indian blood, perhaps one-half or one-fourth. Jessie believes it was Cherokee since there were Cherokees in that vicinity. George Garner had blue eyes and light hair; Martha had a dark olive complexion and dark hair and eyes.

How did Alan and Mary Lou Belle meet? Alan Cain left his home when he was 17 years old to make his way in the world. Jessie believes that he worked as a farm hand for different farmers and ultimately arrived in Arkansas where he commenced working for the Garner family. Here he fell in love with Mr. Garner’s daughter, Mary Lou Belle, and asked for her hand in matrimony. However, she was not yet ready for marriage and turned him down. Having been spurned, Alan announced he was going to move on, perhaps go back home, and Mary Lou Belle changed her mind about marriage to keep him from leaving. So they married in approximately 1885 when she was approximately 17 years old and Alan approximately 28.

Alan and Mary Lou soon started a family. Farming families of that time and social strata normally had a large number of children, so that the children could help with the chores. No exception here, ultimately having 12 children, 10 lived to be adults. The order of birth and names of the children follows:

Fred Lee (married Clara Weatherton)
Minnie Belle (married Bird Lasiter)
Etta Lou (married Henry Edgmon)
Willie Monroe (married Leona Dave Heimeyer)
George Kimball (died age 17-19, unmarried)
Anne (died while an infant)
Rosie May Rebecca (married Elmer Ward)
Ruth Myrtle (married Olon Manning)
Hardie Allen (died while an infant)
Ada Ester (married Carl Barker)
Jessie Gertrude (married Meredith Hilburn)
Bessie Adeline (married Dallas Longstreath)
	Back row: Willie, Minnie, Fred Middle row: Allen, Mary Lou Belle, Etta Front Row: Georgia, May

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