John Raines

John Raines (May 6, 1840, in Geneva, Ontario County, New York – December 16, 1909, in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He authored the 1896 Raines Law, which prohibited liquor sales on Sundays, except in hotels, which had the unintended consequence of fostering prostitution.[1]

For other people named John Raines, see John Raines (disambiguation).
John Raines
Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York
In office
1906–1906
GovernorFrank W. Higgins
Preceded byM. Linn Bruce
Succeeded byLewis S. Chanler
President pro tempore of the New York State Senate
In office
1903–1909
Preceded byTimothy E. Ellsworth
Succeeded byJotham P. Allds
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 29th district
In office
March 4, 1889 – March 3, 1893
Preceded byIra Davenport
Succeeded byCharles W. Gillet
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the Ontario County district
In office
January 1, 1881 – December 31, 1882
Preceded byCharles R. Case
Succeeded byFrank Rice
In office
January 1, 1885 – December 31, 1885
Preceded byFrank Rice
Succeeded byEdward P. Babcock
Member of the New York Senate
from the 42nd district
In office
January 1, 1896 – December 16, 1909
Preceded bynew district
Succeeded byFrederick W. Griffith
Member of the New York Senate
from the 26th district
In office
January 1, 1895 – December 31, 1895
Preceded byCharles T. Saxton
Succeeded byJames Ballantine
Member of the New York Senate
from the 28th district
In office
January 1, 1886 – March 3, 1889
Preceded byThomas Robinson
Succeeded byCharles T. Saxton
Personal details
Born(1840-05-06)May 6, 1840
Geneva, New York
DiedDecember 16, 1909(1909-12-16) (aged 69)
Canandaigua, New York
Political partyRepublican
RelationsThomas Raines (1842–1924)
George Raines (1846–1908)
Parent(s)Rev. John Raines (1818–1877)
Mary Raines (1815–1889)
Alma materUniversity of Rochester

Life

He was born on May 6, 1840, in Geneva, Ontario County, New York, the son of Rev. John Raines II (1818–1877) and Mary (Remington) Raines (1815–1889). His father was a circuit rider clergy.[2]

He was educated at Canandaigua Academy and Albany Law School, from where he graduated in 1861. Admitted to the bar upon graduation, Raines set up a law practice in Geneva, New York.

During the American Civil War, Raines formed and served as captain of Company G, 85th New York Volunteer Infantry and served in both the Army of the Potomac and the Army of North Carolina.

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Ontario Co.) in 1881, 1882 and 1885; and of the New York State Senate (28th D.) from 1886 to 1889, sitting in the 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th New York State Legislatures. In addition he was President of the Board of Education for the Canandaigua school district from 1887 until his death. He was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention.

He was elected to the 51st and 52nd United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1893. Afterwards he returned to the State Senate where he sat from 1895 until his death, being a member of the 118th (26th D.), 119th, 120th, 121st, 122nd, 123rd, 124th, 125th, 126th, 127th, 128th, 129th, 130th, 131st and 132nd New York State Legislatures (all 42nd D.); and was President pro tempore from 1903 until his death. He was an alternate delegate to the 1900 and 1904 Republican National Conventions.

On December 5, 1906, he became Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York for the remainder of the month after the resignation of M. Linn Bruce who was appointed to the New York Supreme Court by Governor Frank W. Higgins.[3]

Raines died on December 16, 1909, in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.[1] Raines was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Canandaigua.

New York State Treasurer Thomas Raines (1842–1924) and State Senator George Raines (1846–1908) were his brothers.

Legacy

Two of Raines' houses in Canandaigua still stand. His primary home, on the corner of Wood and Gorham Streets, was an Octagon house. His summer home, "Thendara", sat along the eastern shore of Canandaigua Lake at Deep Run Cove and is operated today as a restaurant and inn.

References
  1. "Senator Raines, Party Leader Dead" (PDF). New York Times. December 16, 1909. Retrieved 2012-10-17. Republican Leader of State Senate Dies at Canandaigua Home in His 69th Year. Fought Hughes's Reforms. Author of Election and Liquor Tax Laws, and a Factor in Important Albany Legislation for 15 Years. Senator John Raines died at 1:45 o'clock this morning. All the members of his family were at his bedside. ...
  2. Charles F. Milliken. A History of Ontario County, New York and Its People. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1911, pp. 337-342.
  3. Bruce Now a Justice; Hughes is Surprised, The New York Times, December 6, 1906

Further reading
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