BIO: Robert James HAYNES, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. 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. _____________________________________________________________________ ROBERT JAMES HAYNES (deceased), late of Snow Shoe, was one of Centre county's most popular and highly esteemed citizens. The ancestors of the Haynes family were always British subjects and emigrated in the time of Cromwell to the Island of Barbados, where they have always been landed proprietors. Mr. Haynes' parents, Thomas Haynes (son of Robert James Haynes) and Williamina, his wife (daughter of William Eversley of Barbados), came to the United States in 1832 and settled in Georgetown in the District of Columbia, where in September of that year Robert James was born, only son and second child. His education was obtained at Dr. Smith's School at Alexandria, Dr. Vollmer's at Westchester and Bishop Doan's College at Burlington, N. J.; and, his parents having removed to Philadelphia, his youth was largely spent there. Being devoted to out-door sports, and especially to hunting and fishing, he was attracted to Central Pennsylvania. He was in business for varying periods at Howard, at Salt Lick, and at Snow Shoe, where for a number of years he kept the "Mountain House." He took no active part in politics, refusing the many offers of his neighbor citizens, serving only as a justice, auditor and school director. His death occurred at Snow Shoe, March 3, 1894, dying suddenly and unexpectedly while sitting talking to Mr. George Boak, without a word or indication of pain. Commenting on his death one paper said: "No man was ever kinder, more considerate or generous than Robert J. Haynes, COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 225 indeed he was the balancing wheel for the whole community in which he lived, with a pleasing personality and a mind as liberal as the mountains, on which he loved to hunt and fish, were broad; he was liked and respected by young and old, rich and poor." A friend writing of Mr. Haynes from Snow Shoe said: "When a young man, fond of hunting and fishing, he started for the West branch of the Susquehanna, then abounding with fish, and the forest along its banks running through Clearfield, Centre and Clinton counties, abounding with game. His first landing was at Schutac, in Clinton county; then going to Salt Lick, Clearfield county, where he married Miss Martha Watson. After his marriage he returned to Salt Lick and started in the mercantile business. At this time the writer's (a boy of seven years) acquaintance began, dating back to 1857 and continuing up to the day of his death. He built a large and commodious house at Salt Lick. The friends he entertained were many, and in the spring of the year accommodated rafts men, so that he became known all over Clearfield county. He was kind-hearted and of a jovial disposition. Well do we remember the first lesson he gave us, the skating in our boyhood days. He enjoyed immensely to get a crowd of young people together skating or playing, and he was generally the youngest in the part he took in the crowd. In the sick groom he was grand. His jovial disposition and cheerfulness would make the patient forget all his aches and pains, and before he was aware of it would be sitting up. The writer went through a six-weeks' spell of sickness, and he was there most every day. His presence was worth more than doctor's prescriptions. About twenty-five years ago he moved from Salt Lick to Snow Shoe, and took charge of the "Mountain House," and remained in charge about ten years, and a guest once stopping there never passed the house without stopping while he was in charge. Such was the reputation he gave the house far and wide. After leaving the 'Mountain House,' he retired to private life, but his fellow citizens called him to office in township affairs, justice of the peace, auditor, school director, etc. A man of fine social qualities, finely educated, and one who would have graced our Legislative halls with honor. But he was not ambitious for political honors. He was a Cyclopedia of knowledge, a great reader, and was well versed in transpiring events. His death brought a public loss to our town and community. Of all the men I ever met his temper was the most even; always the same kind, genial disposition. He was a great favorite with little boys, always a name and a kind word for them. Liberal, no subscription paper for benevolent or charitable purposes ever left his hand without responding to the call. His familiar face will be missed upon the street and in public gatherings." On January 2, 1855, Mr. Haynes was married to Martha, a daughter of James and Eliza (Lucas) Watson, then of Karthaus, Penn., and their surviving children are: William Rotherock, and Robert James; five others died in infancy. Mrs. Haynes was born in Centre county, August 28, 1837, and his parents were also born there. Both the Watson and Lucas families were early settlers of Boggs township, Centre county.