BIO: George B. HAINES, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ GEORGE B. HAINES, a prosperous agriculturist residing in Rebersburg, Centre county, is one of the progressive men who, taking a broad and liberal view of life and its opportunities, avoid the dull routine into which too many dwellers in the rural neighborhoods fall. Fond of reading, he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, while the advantages of scientific knowledge are seen in his successful management of his estate. His family is of English origin, and for at least three generations his ancestors have been tanners by occupation. His great-grandfather, John Haines, was the first to come to America. The grandfather, John Haines, Jr., was in early manhood a resident of York county, Penn., but came to this section about 1816, locating at Aaronsburg, Centre county, where he followed his trade until his death. Jeremiah Haines, our subject's father, was born in Aaronsburg, about 1820, and was one of five children - two sons and three daughters - who lived to adult age. He was quite young when his father died, leaving but little means, and his early education was extremely limited, a fact which, in view of his later success in lines requiring accurate knowledge of a kind not commonly possessed, indicates unusual mental power. He learned the tanner's trade near Woodward, and with a cash capital of $100 started a tannery in the eastern end of Brush Valley, where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Rebersburg and bought out a tannery owned by Henry Flickinger, and in connection with this business he followed farming on a small scale, as his purchase included sixteen acres of land. He was a shrewd financier, and as a business man was of more than ordinary ability. At the time of his death he owned 550 acres of land, which has been kept in the family. His extensive business required a knowledge of certain legal points, upon which he posted himself by reading. He was justice of the peace for twenty years, and was looked upon as a man of excellent judgment. His reading covered a wide range, and his library contained many valuable works on theology, in which he was well versed. For many years he held the office of elder and deacon in the Lutheran Church, and he always contributed toward the work of that organization. In politics he was a Democrat, but he did not seek official honors. Jeremiah Haines was twice married, first time to Susan Brungart, daughter of George and Salome (Kahl) Brungart, and two children were born to this union: Emma, now Mrs. Thomas E. Royer, of Miles township; and George B., our subject. The mother died in 1862, and the father married a second wife, Mrs. Sarah Heckman, nee Oswalt, widow of George Heckman. She was also taken from him by death, but left no children. Squire Haines was a man of ordinary build, but above the average height, and his health was uniformly good. His death occurred quite suddenly in April, 1893, his remains being buried in Rebersburg. He was fond of his home and was of a peaceful disposition, conceding to every man the right to an opinion, and if it happened to differ from his, he made no effort to change it by argument. Many of the noted men of Centre county were his personal friends, and a visit to Rebersburg by such men was also marked by a visit to "Squire" Haines. The subject of this sketch was born August 6, 1849, six miles east of Rebersburg, and first attended school in that town with Samuel Gramley as his teacher. As soon as he was old enough he began to learn the tanner's trade under his father, work of various kinds being assigned him, but his education was fair for his time, although it was obtained in the common schools of Miles township, and in the Rebersburg Normal School, which was then in existence, he was licensed to teach, but never taught. He lived at home with his parents until the time of his marriage, but never entirely completed the trade of a tanner, although he was sufficiently familiar with it to perform work in almost any department. In December, 1870, Mr. Haines was married in Miles township to Miss Emma J. Burkert, a native of Miles township, born August 10, 1852, a daughter of Jacob Burkert who is mentioned more fully below. Mrs. Haines is a lady of fine intellectual ability, and had a license as a teacher, although she never entered the profession. After his marriage, Mr. Haines located on his father's farm in Brush Valley, and followed agriculture for eighteen years; in the spring of 1888 he removed to Rebersburg, where he now occupies the old Burkert homestead, which he greatly improved, remodeling the house and erecting a new barn and other buildings. After the death of his father, he and his brother-in-law were appointed executors to the estate. In addition to his pleasant home in Rebersburg he has 200 acres of farming land. 310 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Mr. Haines and his wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, and he is a trustee of that society. Their children are a credit to them, all taking prominent places in social life: William B. is a farmer of Miles township. Charles M. (single) resides in Baltimore, Md. Elizabeth L. is at home. Melville C., a licensed teacher, lives at home. Of these, William B. was married in 1890 to Lida J. Oakes, and they have one son, Harry O., born in 1891. All the rest are single. Mr. Haines is a Democrat in politics, and, while not radical, is a stanch supporter of his party, and has held various offices in the township, his sound judgment and well-known public spirit making him a popular candidate. Jacob Burkert, the father of Mrs. Haines, was an excellent citizen, noted for his liberality and practical sagacity. He was a hatter by trade, and before coming to Brush Valley had lived in Berks county, Penn. Politically, he was a steadfast Republican, and he took a prominent part in local affairs, serving ten years as justice of the peace of Miles township, Centre county. He and his wife, Elizabeth Smull, died in Rebersburg, each being about seventy-two years old, and both sleep in the cemetery at that place. Mrs. Burkert was a devout member of the Reformed Church. Mr. and Mrs. Burkert had the following children: Cyrus J., a minister of the United Brethren Church, is presiding elder of the Dayton (Ohio) district; George was a soldier in the Civil war with the Bellefonte Invincibles, and died in camp at Carlisle, Penn.; C. Milton, now of Germantown, Ohio, was formerly a railroad conductor on the Vandalia route; John C., of Oskaloosa, Jefferson Co., Kans., is probate judge of his county; Edwin is a physician at Dayton, Ohio; Clayton resides at Valley Falls, Kans.; Charles died in childhood; Elizabeth died in infancy; Effinger died at the age of fifteen years; and Emma J. (now Mrs. Haines) completes the family.