BIO: Robert James HAYNES, Centre County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich

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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.
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  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.