Dr. Gerry P. Haines

The Haines / Bond Family History Dr. Gerry P. Haines

The Haines and Bond Families both originate in Virginia in the 1770's. The Haines family appears in Southwestern Pennsylvania and moves across the border to the South into what is now West Virginia. They move from West Virginia to the border of Missouri/Iowa. All the family members were farmers of limited economic means - what I call poor dirt farmers. Most of them weathered the depression without losing their farms. It wasn't until the last two generations that many of the family members branched out into other methods of livelihood. The Bond Family followed a longer route. The first member, Banister, spent time in Kentucky and Alabama. He even served a short time in the war of 1812. The Bond's then settled into farming on the Iowa side of the Missouri/Iowa border. They tried moving west a number of times, as did some of the Haines Family, but most returned to the Midwest to live. I think you will find the adventurous families to be fascinating. It is interesting to see them naming their children after the famous persons of that era. When you observe their actions it is amazing how tough and adaptable they were. The final chapters are personal histories of this generation of the Haines Family. Enjoy