William T. Haines Explained

William T. Haines
Order1:49th
Office1:Governor of Maine
Term Start1:January 1, 1913
Term End1:January 6, 1915
Predecessor1:Frederick W. Plaisted
Successor1:Oakley C. Curtis
Office2:Maine Attorney General
Term Start2:1897
Term End2:1900
Governor2:Llewellyn Powers
Preceded2:Frederick A. Powers
Succeeded2:George M. Seiders
Office3:Member of the Maine Senate
Term3:1888-1892
Birth Name:William Thomas Haines
Birth Date:7 August 1854
Birth Place:Levant, Maine
Death Place:Augusta, Maine
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:University of Maine
Albany Law School

William Thomas Haines (August 7, 1854  - June 4, 1919) was an American politician and the 49th Governor of Maine.

Early years

William Thomas Haines was born in Levant, Maine on August 7, 1854. As an undergraduate at the University of Maine, he founded the Eternal Companions Society[1] on the Orono Campus in 1875. The fraternity was later chartered as the Beta Eta chapter of Beta Theta Pi[2] and Haines was issued roll number 1 in the new organization. He graduated as Valedictorian[3] of the University of Maine class of 1876 and went on to study law at Albany Law School where he completed his LL.B. degree in 1878. In May, 1879, Haines settled at Oakland (then West Waterville), Kennebec County, Maine, and commenced the practice of law. He remained there until October, 1880. He then moved to Waterville, Maine.

Politics

Haines became the county attorney of Kennebec County in 1882. He held that position for five years. He became a member of the Maine State Senate in 1888. He held that position until 1892. He became a member of the Maine House of Representatives in 1895. He served as the attorney general of Maine (1896-1901) and then became a member of the governor’s executive council (1901-1905).

Governor of Maine

Haines was nominated for the governorship of Maine by the Republican Party in 1912. He went on to win the general election by a popular vote. He held the governor's office from January 1, 1913 to January 6, 1915. During his administration, a bond issue was authorized for road improvements. A public utilities bill and an anti-trust act were sanctioned. He was unsuccessful in his re-election bid.

Personal life

Haines married Edith S. Hemenway. He had three children. He was a Unitarian.

Other sourses

Notes and References

  1. http://www.umess.maine.edu/greek/database/chapterinfo.asp?chapter=Phi%20Gamma%20Delta&myBack=Fraternity%20Chapter Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity Chapter
  2. Web site: Beta Eta History.
  3. Web site: Bio of William T. Haines.