Eayre Ramsey Haines (1874-1963)

From the Dayton Journal Herald, May 5, 1959.

   One of several Spanish American War veterans to be featured here on the site, Eayre Ramsey "Dad" Haines was a popular figure in the town of New Bremen, Ohio, and first entered the political life of that village with his election as village clerk. A longtime creamery company employee. Haines later served four terms as its mayor, retiring from office at age 78. Born in Sidney, Ohio on March 17, 1874, Eayre Ramsey Haines was the son of Daniel (1845-1924) and Mary (Ramsey) Haines (1854-1897). 

  Haines's early education was obtained in Sidney and in April 1898 enlisted for service in the Spanish-American War. Serving with Co. L., 3rd Ohio United States Infantry, Haines was honorably discharged in October 1898. Following his return to Ohio, he married Emma Zimmerman (1880-1964) on November 15, 1899, in Sidney. The couple's sixty-three-year marriage saw the births of three children, Charlotte Haines Morris (1901-2001; lived to age 100), Richard Eayre (1904-1987), and Louise Haines Dietrich (1914-2011). Shortly after their marriage, the couple removed to New Bremen, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. Both he and his wife were members of the Zion United Church of Christ, where Haines was a member of the church consistory.

  In the years following his resettlement, Eayre Haines was employed by the Beatrice Foods Co. and the White Mountain Creamery. He would retire from the latter in the late 1940s after 36 years of employment, and first entered village politics in 1911 with his election as village clerk. He served in that post from 1912-1916, and again from 1920-22. In the last two years, Haines held the additional role of clerk of the village light and water department, due to that office's consolidation with the office of village clerk.

  Haines was elected as New Bremen mayor in late 1925 and would serve consecutive terms until 1932. He retired from the White Mountain Creamery in the late 1940s and in 1944 was elected as chaplain of the Capt. Mueller Auxilliary, United Spanish War Veterans at Wapakoneta, Ohio. Haines was returned to the mayoral chair in 1947 and served two further terms from 1948-52.  In November 1959 he and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and were feted with a celebration at their home. 

  Eayre Ramsey Haines died at the Joint Township Memorial Hospital in St. Marys, Ohio on July 28, 1963, a few months following his 89th birthday. He had been ill for a month prior to his death and was survived by his wife and children. Following her death in 1964, Emma Zimmerman Haines was interred alongside her husband at the Graceland Cemetery in Sidney.

From the Lima News, November 13, 1959.