Elijah Haines (October 26, 1817 – September 22, 1889) was an American educator, author, and politician who was active in the state of Illinois during the mid‑19th century. He is best known for his service in the Illinois General Assembly, his participation in the 1848 Illinois Constitutional Convention, and for authoring a widely used manual of parliamentary procedure.
Early life and education
Elijah Haines was born in Boscobel, New York. He attended local schools before moving to Illinois in the early 1840s, where he pursued a career in education, teaching in several counties and serving as a school administrator.
Political career
Haines entered politics as a member of the Whig Party, later aligning with the Republican Party during the Civil War era. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1846 and served multiple terms. During his tenure, he was appointed Speaker of the House in 1859. Haines also served in the Illinois Senate after his election in 1862. He participated in the 1848 Illinois Constitutional Convention, contributing to the drafting of the state’s second constitution.
Parliamentary work
In 1869, Haines published A Manual of Parliamentary Procedure, commonly referred to as “Haines’ Manual.” The work provided guidelines for conducting deliberative assemblies and was adopted by numerous civic and political organizations throughout the United States. It remained a reference text for parliamentary conduct into the early 20th century.
Later life and legacy
After retiring from active politics, Haines continued to write on political and educational topics. He died on September 22, 1889, in Chicago, Illinois. His contributions to Illinois legislative practice and his parliamentary manual are recognized as part of the broader development of American procedural law and civic education.