My Genealogy Hound

Levi C. Haines, a well known and prosperous farmer and large stock raiser of Oakland County, owning a finely improved farm of 180 acres in Addison township, was born in Oxford, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1849. He is a son of J. H. and Rosina (Arnold) Haines.

J. H. Haines was born July 7, 1828, in the vicinity of Romeo, Macomb County, Michigan, and was a son of Benjamin Haines, a native of New York, who came as a pioneer to Michigan, settling in Macomb County. In 1848 J. H. Haines removed to Oakland County and located in Oxford township on a farm which he subsequently sold and then removed to the village of Oxford, where he died February 6, 1901. He had been prominent in township affairs and most efficiently served in the local offices on various occasions. In politics he was a Republican. His wife, who was a daughter of Robert Arnold, was left an orphan at an early age. She was born in Macomb County, August 17, 1829, and died in Oakland County, February 10, 1892. Our subject is the eldest of the five children born to J. H. Haines and wife, as follows: Levi C.; Mrs. Mary Noble, of Addison township, Oakland County; Mrs. Helen Grover, of Lapeer County, Michigan; Eugene, who died on his farm in Lapeer County, Michigan; and Fred G. The last named is a superintendent of the branch of the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Detroit, where he is assisted by his wife.

Levi C. Haines was practically educated in Oakland County and learned all the principles of good farming while remaining on the home place. For a time he attended a commercial college in Pontiac. When about 28 years of age he purchased a farm in Addison township later one in Oxford township and a second one in Oxford, selling these farms and purchasing his present one some 20 years ago. This farm is highly improved and is under excellent cultivation. It is fine wheat land and also produces fruit abundantly, while few men in the locality have raised finer Shorthorn and Durham cattle.

Mr. Haines has also devoted much attention to the raising of Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep, proving that the Michigan farm can make better meat than the very sections from which the noted breeds have taken their names.

In Addison township, Oakland County, Mr. Haines was married to Julia Kilborn, who was born in Addison township and is a daughter of Cyrus and Caroline (Norton) Kilborn, the former of whom died in 1875, aged 61 years, and the latter in 1900, aged 81 years. Mr. and Mrs. Kilborn came in the early days to Oakland County, Michigan, from their native State, New York. Mrs. Haines has one brother, George N., a bookkeeper whose home is in Florida; and one sister, Mrs. Eva Morse, of Metamora, Lapeer County. George N. Kilborn was born in Oakland County, received his education in the district schools here, and taught school for some time. He has taken an active part in political affairs, and is a prominent Mason. Mrs. Haines was educated in the district school in the vicinity of her girlhood home, and also attended the Pontiac High School. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have three children, namely: Carrie R., wife of W. G. Poole, of Oxford, Oakland County; J. C., who is at home; and Rollie L., who is attending school in Oxford.

Politically, Mr. Haines is a Republican and he has very acceptably filled local offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, the Gleaners and the Grange. Mrs. Haines is a member of the two latter organizations. Mrs. Haines is a member of the Christian Science Church.

Mr. Haines’ sister, Mrs. Mary Noble, was born November 16, 1855, and married Jerome Noble, who was born July 23, 1853, in Oxford township, Oakland County, and died in February, 1901. They had four children: Ralph G., of Deford, Michigan; and Lee S., Florence L. and Gladys N. Mrs. Noble has resided on her present farm in Addison township, near Mr. Haines homestead, for the past 21 years.