Haines, James

Born: 1822-09-10 Butler County, Ohio

Died: 1909-09-11 Peoria, Illinois

Flourished: Pekin, Illinois

Alternate name: Haynes

James Haines was a teacher, lawyer, banker, and businessman. Haines moved with his family to Pekin, Illinois, around 1827. Prior to completing his education, Haines taught school in various parts of Tazewell County. After completing his education in Pekin's public schools, Haines engaged in farming with this father. He subsequently read law, graduating from the law department of Transylvania University in 1849. He earned admission to the bar in 1850 and opened a law practice in Pekin. In October 1850, he married Ann E. Maus, with whom he had four children. In December 1850, Haines was practicing law and owned real property valued at $10,000. He served as supervisor of the city of Pekin in 1851 and 1852. In 1852, Haines entered the banking business in partnership with Gideon H. Rupert and Thomas N. Gill. Haines, Gill, and two other partners opened Central Bank in Peoria, Illinois, in 1852, which they operated for one year. In 1860, Haines was employed as a banker and owned real and personal property valued at $45,000. His partnership with Rupert and Gill continued until financial difficulties associated with the Civil War dissolved the partnership.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Tazewell and Mason Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Biographical, 1894), 375-76; Atlas Map of Tazewell County, Illinois (Davenport, IA: Andreas, Lyter, 1873), 55; The Weekly Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL), 17 September 1909, 3:1; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Tazewell County, 24 October 1850, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; History of Tazewell County Illinois (Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1879), 392, 616; The History of Peoria County Illinois(Chicago: Johnson, 1880), 536; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Pekin, Tazewell County, IL, 123; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Tazewell County, IL, 137; Gravestone, Haynes Cemetery, Pekin, IL.