Among the notable men of Pekin’s history, James Michael Haines (1822-1909) was prominent as vice president and later president of the Tazewell County Old Settlers Association, as one of Pekin’s earliest bankers, as a well-known attorney and real estate agent, and an active member of the original Tazewell County Historical Society.
Haines was a member of one of Pekin’s founding families. His older brother William Haines (1801-1834) was one of Pekin’s co-founders and one of the original plat holders of the Original Town of Pekin. Two other older brothers, pioneer inventor Jonathan Haines (1808-1868) and Ansel Haines (1816-1897) were co-owners of the Haines Illinois Harvester Works that was located on the east side of James Field. James Haines himself served as manager of the Illinois Harvester Works, where his older brother’s patented Illinois Harvester was manufactured. After Jonathan’s untimely death, Jonathan’s house at 412 S. Sixth St. became James’ home — the house still stands today.
James Haines was also an associate of Pekin city attorney Benjamin S. Prettyman, another of Pekin’s most prominent pioneers. It was in Prettyman’s law office that James began to study law, completing his studies at Transylvania University in Louisville, Kentucky. James Haines’ first case was heard before Judge David Davis in Pekin, and he was assisted by fellow prairie attorney Abraham Lincoln. James also became a partner of Gideon H. Rupert and Thomas N. Gill in their bank, one of Pekin’s earliest. Through his work in real estate, James laid out three Additions to Pekin, and he also served as president of the Peoria & Springfield Railway.
Another of James’ notable connections in early Pekin history was through his marriage: in 1852, James married Anna E. Maus, one of the three daughters Dr. William S. Maus, who was not only one of Pekin’s most prominent pioneer physicians, but who held various public offices, including Pekin Town Board president and a member of the Illinois General Assembly. James and Anna had only three children: Kate, Al, and James Jr. Sadly, Kate and Al both died in infancy.
The 1894 “Portrait and Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Counties,” pages 374-376, includes a length biographical sketch of James Haines, as follows:
JAMES HAINES. Among the prominent business men of Pekin who are counted among the oldest and most honored residents of the county may be mentioned Mr. Haines. He has been connected with the interests of this section since 1827, and no name may be more properly placed in the history of the county than his.
Our subject was born in Butler County, Ohio, September 10, 1822, and is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Long) Haines. The father’s birth occurred in New Jersey near the Pennsylvania line; he fought as a soldier in the War of 1812, being a resident of Ohio at the time. In that state he carried on his trade of blacksmith until his removal to Illinois in 1827, making the journey hither by teams. He located with his family near Pekin, where he erected a little log cabin and also a blacksmith shop, built after the same primitive style. He also purchased land, and until the time of his death, in 1846, followed the combined occupations of farmer and blacksmith.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Long, was born in the Quaker City, and died on the farm in Tazewell County during the cholera scourge in 1832. James, of this sketch, passed the first five years of his life in Ohio, and on coming with the family to this state, saw many Indians from the Winnebago, Pottawatomies, the Sac and Fox tribes. There were about three red men to every white settler in that early day, and the country round about was little more than a wilderness, dotted over here and there with rude log cabins.
Mr. Haines, of this sketch, attended his first school in a rude structure with the most primitive furnishings, but later completed his studies in the more modern schools of Pekin. Previous to completing his education he taught school for several terms in the country, boarding around among the patrons. He worked on his father’s farm until starting out in the world on his own responsibility, and until 1848 followed farming, together with buying and selling land. In the above year he began the study of law in the office of B. S. Prettyman, of Pekin; then he entered the law department of Transylvania University in Louisville, Ky., from which he was graduated in the year 1851.
After receiving his diploma, Mr. Haines located in this city for practice, but soon abandoned that profession to engage in the banking business, forming a partnership with G. H. Rupert and T. N. Gill. This connection lasted until the outbreak of the late war, when the hard times which followed caused him to close out his business in that line. He then engaged in the insurance and real-estate business, which he is carrying on at the present time.
Mr. Haines has been a very prominent factor in forwarding the best interests of this section, and besides laying out three additions to the city, has been President of the Peoria & Springfield Railway. He has also been manager of the Haines’ Illinois Harvester Works several years, and is the oldest insurance man in this part of the state.
The lady to whom our subject was united in marriage in 1852 was Miss Anna E., eldest daughter of Dr. W. S. Maus. The latter was born in Cumberland County, Pa., and was one of the prominent physicians of this county. He was a member of the Legislature, and held many positions of trust in the county and state. Mrs. Haines departed this life in 1889, leaving one son, James, Jr., who is engaged in business with his father.
Mr. Haines was Postmaster for three years under Cleveland, and was Supervisor of the township for some time. He is an active Democrat in politics, and is recognized as an influential member of the party. He was the first County Superintendent of Schools in Tazewell County, and is Vice-President of Tazewell County’s Old Settlers’ Association.
James Haines died in Pekin on 11 Sept. 1909 at the age of 87, and was buried in Haines Cemetery (also called Rankin Cemetery), where his wife Anna and their three children, Kate, Al, and James Jr. are also buried.
