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Permanent LinkSenator Robert M. Haines View All Years
ROBERT MILLER HAINES was born near Salem, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1838; he died at Grinnell, Iowa, Dec. 22, 1902. He came to this State in 1857, and located at Iowa Falls, where he engaged in the profession of teaching. In 1860 he entered Iowa College at Grinnell, where by his own efforts he worked his way through the academy and college and graduated with high honors in 1865. He was in the first class that the college sent out after its removal from Davenport to Grinnell. In 1867 he was chosen to a position in the academy of Iowa College which he filled for four years. He entered the law department of the Iowa State University in the autumn of 1869. After some time spent in studying his profession he was admitted to the bar, although he did not receive the degree of LL. B. from the university until 1874. He entered into a partnership with Hon. J. P. Lyman, which continued without interruption for thirty-one and one-half years, until the death of Mr. Haines. He was elected State senator and served in the sessions of 1880 and 1882 with high distinction. He was a trustee of Iowa College for twenty-five years. He was active in politics during many years, and became widely known for his independence in his convictions upon public questions, more particularly the tariff. In all matters that pertained to the interests of Grinnell where public spirit and wise counsel were needed, he was especially active and energetic. He was often a delegate to the State Association of Congregational Churches, of which he was an influential member. He had been a member of the State Bar Association for several years, and at the time of his death was its president.