Charles H. Haynes
The son of R. R. Haynes, Charles Hodge Haynes was born in Ferry on April 25, 1878. He went to Rutherford county schools, then to schools in Charlotte including Baird’s Military Academy, and to Guilford College. During vacations from school he worked on his father’s farm and store at Ferry, clerked in the Henrietta Mills store at Caroleen and the Florence Mills store at Forest City. While he attended school in Charlotte he worked on weekends at Belk Bros. Store.
After finishing school in 1901, he began his career as bookkeeper and cashier for the Cliffside Mills, later becoming successively secretary and treasurer, vice president.
In May 1917, at the first directors’ meeting following the death of his father, Charles was elected president of Cliffside Mills. Also the presidency of the Cliffside Railroad and the Haynes Bank passed into his hands.
Under his leadership, the Cliffside Mills advanced in at least two major ways, converting from the production of gingham to terry cloth products in the late 1920’s, and upgrading from water power to hydroelectric operations around 1936. Over the years the mill and town expanded. Homes and businesses were added, better water and sanitation facilities were provided, a showcase school and community building were built. In most all respects, Charles Haynes carried out—and perhaps exceeded—the dreams of his father.
He served as company president until his retirement in January, 1945, at which time Cliffside Mills was consolidated with Cone Mills Corp. of Greensboro. He was a director of that corporation until 1956.
Haynes served as vice president and director of the Haynes Bank at Cliffside since its incorporation in 1907 until 1917, and as president from that time until January 1952 when he resigned and was elected chairman of the board.
He was also chairman of the Cliffside school board and a trustee of the Rutherford hospital.
Mr. Haynes joined Floyd’s Creek Baptist church when he was 14 years old and later moved his membership to the Cliffside Baptist church.
He married Catherine Culpepper, a native of Arkansas, in 1945. He died on April 26, 1958 and is buried in Cliffside Cemetery.
Sources: Raleigh Rutherford Haynes: A History of His Life and Achievements, The Forest City Courier
Address by Charles H. Haynes
From The Forest City Courier, June 29, 1922
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is hard for me to talk before the public, especially tonight, because of the memory this occasion brings to my mind. Therefore, I am going to ask you to pardon me for reading what I have to say:
On behalf of the Cliffside Mill I present the R. R. Haynes Memorial Building to this community.
“He was interested in the development of community life, and in everything that would bring to the people of this community the largest benefits of our modern civilization.”
My father was a builder and was never quite so happy as when engaged in planning some development which he conceived would be a success from an industry standpoint, and at the same time make a substantial contribution to the common good.
This Community Building was [a] thought of his for Cliffside and therefore it is especially fitting that this Company, which he organized, developed and managed should carry into effect his thought in presenting this building as a memorial to him and his work. He was proud of the village of Cliffside. He desired that it should prosper and advance along all right lines. He was interested in it as an industrial development and conceived the idea of building here a model town and a model industrial plant. But his idea was greater than the mere external of business developments. He was interested in the development of community life, and in everything that would bring to the people of this community the largest benefits of our modern civilization.
This building, then, typifies his ideas, combining the practical and the ideal. Practical in that it will serve the community life and tend to develop and cultivate the taste for wholesome entertainment and social pleasures of the elevating kind, giving opportunity for harmless diversions and general community enjoyment. Ideal in that it will serve to develop the community spirit, the fellowship and good will of all our people, the welding together of our common plans, purposes, interests, hopes and aspirations, so that we may grow together in the graces of love, sympathy and service.
Therefore, as a memorial to him, and in the confident hope that it will prove a blessing to the entire community, I have pleasure in formally presenting this building.
Reprinted with permission from The Daily Courier. Copyright owned by The Daily Courier.
