Background
James Havens was born on May 28, 1859, in Weedsport, New York, United States, the son of Dexter Eber and Lucy Bell (Smith) Havens.
James Havens was born on May 28, 1859, in Weedsport, New York, United States, the son of Dexter Eber and Lucy Bell (Smith) Havens.
After preparing for college in the public schools of Weedsport and in Monroe Collegiate Institute, Elbridge, New York, James entered Yale with the class of 1882, but his college course was interrupted by illness, and he was not graduated until 1884. He then studied law in the office of William F. Cogswell of Rochester, was admitted to the bar in 1886.
James Havens practised law in Rochester for more than forty years. He was recognized as a wise counselor and a powerful advocate with a high standard of personal and professional ethics. His cases were always well prepared, and his presentation was marked by unusual simplicity and clarity. For many years he was ranked as one of the leaders of the bar in Western New York.
In 1910, after a campaign which attracted nation-wide attention, he overcame a large adverse majority and was elected to the United States House of Representatives for the unexpired term (1910 - 1911) of his deceased law-partner, James Breck Perkins, defeating George W. Aldridge, the Republican leader of Monroe County. Havens refused to consider a nomination for the succeeding term and returned to his profession at the end of his few months of sendee.
In 1918, Havens became assistant treasurer of the Eastman Kodak Company, though his duties were more legal than financial. The next year he was made secretary and vice-president in charge of the legal department. He also retained a limited private practice for a few old clients, and continued to serve as director in various financial, industrial, and civic organizations. His death occurred in Rochester after several months of failing health.
James Havens was best known as vice president of the Eastman Kodak Company and head of its legal department from 1919 until his death. In this latter capacity he was instrumental in settling many complicated questions which had arisen between the company and the United States government as a result of the World War.
An enthusiastic Democrat by inheritance and conviction, he was at all times willing to work for the party, and was an effective campaigner, but was never a candidate for public office until 1910.
During his long residence in Rochester, Havens was much respected for his legal and financial ability and his sense of civic responsibility, while his high character, friendly nature, and unfailing courtesy made him many warm friends.
On January 16, 1894, Havens married Caroline Prindle Sammons of Rochester.
