Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 479 - 480 

WILLIAM WALDO HAINES, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Force, is a very highly esteemed resident of Wichita, and under his judicious management the police force is fast gaining the favor of the citizens, who objected to the new system and strongly denounced the force when it was first established. But as under his careful supervision order is maintained and the condition of the city is daily improving, the people now respect the force and honor its chief.

            Mr. Haines is a native of Hocking County, Ohio, where he was born Aug. 26, 1849. Mr. William II. Haines, father of our subject, was born in Virginia, the Haines family having been residents in the United States for many years. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Ohio, and at the breaking out of the Mexican War enlisted as a member of the army. After peace was restored he returned to the Buckeye State and entered the political arena, receiving the election for District Clerk, and serving in that capacity and as Deputy for twenty-four years. Subsequently he was elected to the highest office in the gift of the city, serving as Mayor of Logan, an office which he was holding at the time of his death in 1877. Politically he was a Democrat, a man of great ability and force of character, and wielded a strong influence in Hocking County, both in political and in civil life, and at his death the entire county mourned with the city so sadly bereaved in the loss of one of its most faithful counselors and prominent citizens, and all extended sympathy to the afflicted family deprived of so kind a husband and tender father. The maiden name of his wife was Emily C. Tucker, who faithfully co-operated with him in all his undertakings, and was a most estimable and loving companion. She is now living in Santa Barbara, Cal. To her and her husband had been born four children, of whom our subject is the only one living.

            William Waldo Haines, of whom we write, received a good common-school education, and in 1864, though but a boy, being of an ambitious and an adventurous spirit, started for Kansas, accompanied by a cousin. They spent a year in Topeka, and then pushed on to Salina, where they took up a claim of land and resided for several years. In the winter season they were engaged in hunting buffalo, and at other seasons in freighting on the plains, raising a little corn, etc. In 1868 our subject was employed by the Government as a scout, his bravery, astuteness and vigilance peculiarly fitting him for that hazardous position. Three years later he leased the Salina stockyards, and the first year was very successful in conducting the cattle business, but the following winter being of unusual severity he lost heavily. He then went to Ottawa County, where he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and served for one year,' subsequently locating on. a farm in said county. In the spring of 1873 our subject returned to Salina County, and from there came to Sedgwick County, and established in Wichita, where he engaged in freighting to the Territory with his two teams. He afterward obtained a position as clerk in a store, and then served as Deputy Sheriff and jailer for a year. Later Mr. Haines followed contracting and road grading, finally becoming interested in real estate, and making money in manipulating the same in Wichita. On the 13th of July, 1887, our subject was appointed to the responsible position he now holds, as Chief of the Metropolitan Police Force, composed of twenty-two men. The following January, in recognition of his efficient service, and as a just tribute to his worth, the citizens of Wichita presented Chief Haines with an elegant gold badge, surmounted by an eagle, set with diamonds, and inscribed with his monogram, W. W. H., which was surrounded by the words "Chief of the Metropolitan Police, Wichita, Kan." The reverse side is inscribed with the following words: "Presented by the citizens of Wichita to W. W. Haines, as a token of appreciation of his services as Chief of Police of Wichita, Kan., Jan. 1, 1888."

            The union of our subject with Miss Anna L. Sinclair took place in Ellsworth, Kan., in 1870. She is a native of Vermont, and when quite young was left an orphan, her father, who was a physician, dying in California, and her mother in Chicago. Mrs. Haines was reared by an uncle named Overton, who adopted her. He was a ship builder and died in New Orleans with yellow fever. She afterward came to Kansas with Mrs. Bickerdyke, a friend of the family. To her and her husband have been born five children, namely: Harry, Eddie, Cora, Lydia and Ward.

            Mr. Haines is a Republican, though he takes no active part in polities; socially he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.

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