Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

Ventura County Republican Project: History and Genealogy

"A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California" (1891), page 632.

Abner Haines

Abner Haines, a prominent rancher near Santa Paula, is one of California's pioneers, who came to the State in 1853. He was born in York County, Maine, October 10, 1823. His father, Samuel Haines, was also a native of that State, born in April, 1800. His grandfather, Samuel Haines, Sr., was also born there, before that portion of the Union became a State. The ancestors of the family came originally from England to Massachusetts. Abner's mother, whose name before marriage was Silvia Woodsum, was also born in Maine, the daughter of Abner Woodsum, a native of that State and a participant in the early wars with the Indians. Mr. Haines, the eldest of six children, all living, began teaching school when a young man, but soon bought an interest in a saw-mill and worked in the lumber business and also at farming. On his arrival in California, in 1853, he engaged in mining in Indian Creek, the Middle Yuba, Forest City and Moore's Flat, with many ups and downs, finally leaving the mines with $900. As a sample of his luck it may be mentioned that one time he bought $300 worth of potatoes, at ten cents a pound, and planted them; and when digging time arrived they were so cheap that he gave them away rather than to leave his work, where he was getting $100 a month. After leaving the mines he followed teaming for a time and then obtained a section of State land, on which he raised hay and live-stock. He sold his hay at Marysville, cut about 200 tons, receiving about $10 a ton. Four and a half years afterward he sold out and took a Government claim in Sutter County, which was at that time in appearance a poverty-stricken cow pasture. Commencing in 1861 he improved it and raised grain there until 1867. Then he came to Santa Paula and purchased 150 acres of land, to which he has since added fifty acres more. On this property he was also a pioneer, and has made it a beautiful home, characteristic of Southern California. When he arrived here there were probably not more than two houses between Ventura and Camulos in the whole Marine Valley. He paid $10 per acre for his land, and it is now worth $200 per acre. The second year he was on the place he planted his orange and lemon trees, which are now in bearing. The first year he raised wheat, but he is now raising Lima beans; last year (1889) on 100 acres he raised 100 tons, which are worth five cents, but that is very high. Mr. Haines first voted for Stephen A. Douglas for President, but since that time has been a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

In 1864 he married Charlotte Goodwin, a native of Maine, born in 1833, and daughter of Governor Goodwin, of that State. They have had three children, of whom two are now living - Maud, born in Sutter County and married to Samuel Henderson, and lives near her father; Edith, born in Santa Paula, is living at home.