Background
Haynes was born in Baldwinsville, New New York
Haynes was born in Baldwinsville, New New York
He went on to read law and completed some final studies at Columbia Law School, gaining admission to the bar in 1875.
He was largely raised on the family"s farm. After graduating, he worked as a teacher for several years while still helping with the family"s farm. In 1871, he began college at Onondaga Valley Academy and Cazenovia Seminary.
He initially practiced law in Buffalo, New York and Eau Claire, Wisconsin before relocating to Minneapolis in 1878.
After arriving in Minneapolis, Haynes developed a law practice specializing in business law. He was also a backer and president of the American District Telegraph Company of Minneapolis from 1883 to 1906.
Haynes also became involved with the local Democratic party. He was elected as an alderman in 1890.
In 1892 he was the Democratic nominee for mayor but was defeated.
In 1902 he ran again for mayor, winning by a significant margin. Haynes died in 1913. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1892
William H. Eustis 17,910
James C. Haynes 15,728
Charles M. Way 1,842
Theodore F. Stark 1,665
Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1902
James C. Haynes 20,345
Fred M. Powers 14,437
William B. Hammond 704
Charles Doctorate. Raymer 354
Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1904
David Percy Jones 18,445
James C. Haynes 18,189
Milton K. Rogers 2,682
Charles M. Way 777
Benjamin Adolphus Frankford 296
Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1906
James C. Haynes 21,778
David Percy Jones 18,213
Milton K. Rogers 1,002
Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1908
James C. Haynes 19,814
Charles H. Huhn 19,558
J. Doctorate. Engle 1,322
West. L. Beeman 977
Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1910
James C. Haynes 12,788
West. East. Satterlee 12,754
Thomas Van Lear 11,601
Frank H. Mellen 617.
As a member of the city council and mayor, Haynes was involved in efforts to create a water reservoir in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, the continuing development of the city"s streetcar network, and working to restore public trust and eliminate corruption in the wake of former mayor A. A. Ames.