Dr. and Mrs. Mattie Regan were married at Van Buren Arkansas, November 4, 1884. At the time of their marriage, Dr. Haney was engaged in farming, but later studied medicine and in 1895 was licensed to practice his chosen profession. They moved to Bowie, Texas, in 1895, and spent the time from 1916, when they moved to Afton, the remainder of their lives.
Dr. Haney, who was a very typical legendary country doctor, went any and all places, under any circumstance, walking, riding horse back, in a buggy or wagon. Dr. Haney did more good with those little pink pills and other valuable needs he carried in his little black bag, than many of our modern doctors who analyze us today.
Dr. Haney came to Afton from East Texas in 1916, and bought a cafe building which was located on the gin lot. He;moved it to the west side of the street and put in drugs and a soda fountain. He also used it or his office. He sold this in 1920, and left Afton for four years. When he returned he bought a grocery store and started business. It burned in later years. His son, Byron rebuilt the store and named it Afton General Store, which stands as such today with Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Legg as owners.
Dr. Haney passed from this life in 1938. He has left behind many memories to the people of the Afton community. As their Doctor, he never turned them down. Dr. Haney had the first car in Afton. He could get to his patients better. He was a member of the Afton Church of Christ.
Mrs. Haney was a native of Mississippi and was born August 1, 1866. Her maiden name was Mattie Regan and she was related to Senator John H. Regan of Texas. Early in her life the family moved to Alabama where she was reared and educated.
Early in her life, Mrs. Haney made a profession of religion, and became a member of the Church of Christ. She was very devoted to her Lord and the church. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Being a doctor's wife, she was called on constantly to help others, an this she did cheerfully many times. Her friends were innumerable because all who came in contact with her soon learned to love her. Mr. and Mrs. Haney have been good samaritans to hundreds of people, and both let their lives be acts of service to their fellowmen. They are both buried in the Afton Cemetery.
The Haneys had eight children, Mrs. R.L. Thacker, Mrs. Raymond Brown, Mrs. R.H. Gray, Byron, Burnett, Bud, J.B. and Dr. E.L. Haney.
Source: History of Dickens County; Ranches and Rolling Plains, Fred Arrington, ©1971 p. 263
Mrs. J. N. Haney died in a Lubbock hospital about 7:30 o´clock Monday evening after an illness of several months. She had been a patient in the sanitarium about two weeks and was being treated for an infected blood stream.
Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ at Afton at four o´clock Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a very large concourse of friends. Rev. A. P. Stokes, a neighbor of many years, read the scripture which was the first few verses of the 14th chapter of St. John, and then related a short sketch of her life. A. G. Dunn, Jr., minister of the Church of Christ at Spur, read the funeral rites. Interment followed in Afton cemetery with Kinney Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
The deceased is survived by her husband, Dr. J. N. Haney and eight children as follows: Mrs. R. L. Thacker, Mrs. Raymond Brown, and Mrs. R. H. Gray, all of Mt. Pleasant; Byron and T. B. Haney of Afton, J. B. Haney of Matador, B. R. Haney of Hot Springs, NM; and Dr. E. L. Haney of Ralls. There are twelve grandchildren in the family.
Mrs. Haney was a native of Mississippi and was born August 1, 1866. Her maiden name was Miss Mattie Reagan and was related to the late Senator John H. Reagan of Texas. Early in her life the family moved to Alabama where she was reared and educated.
Dr. and Mrs. Haney were married at Van Buren, Ark., November 4, 1884. Sunday, November 4, 1934, they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, having part of their children and a number of friends present. At the time of their marriage Dr. Haney was engaged in farming, but later studied medicine and in 1895 was licensed to practice his chosen profession. They moved to Bowie, Texas, in 1895, and later lived in Cass County. They moved to Afton in 1916 where they have lived since.
Early in life Mrs. Haney made a profession of religion and became affiliated with the Church of Christ. She was very devoted to her Lord and her church. Her daily walks in life and her ever readiness to assist those who needed help proved all that she professed. Her friends were innumerable because all who came in contact with her soon learned to love her. She and her good husband have been the good Samaritan to hundreds of people and both let their lives be acts of service to their fellowmen.
©The Texas Spur, April 1937
Funeral services over the remains of Dr. J.N.Haney will be held at Afton this afternoon at three o'clock. Arrangements had not been completed at press hour. He passed away yesterday afternoon in a Lubbock sanitarium, having been taken there about three weeks ago. He had been in ill health for a long time.
The survivors are eight children. Dr. Edward L. Haney of Ralls, B.R. Haney of Hot Springs, New Mexico; Mrs. R.L. Thacker, Mrs. Raymond Brown, Mrs. R.H. Gray all of Mount Pleasant; Byron and Burnett Haney of Afton, J.B. Haney of Matador; twelve grandchildren and a great host of friends in all parts of Texas. Mrs. Haney passed away Marcy 29, 1937. Dr. Haney was a native of Georgia and was born September 12, 1864. He moved with his parents to Arkansas in 1871 and to Indian Territory in 1872. He was married to Miss Mattie Reagan at Van Buren, Arkansas, November 4, 1884. He remained in Arkansas until 1895 when he came to Texas and established a home in Bowie County. Later he lived in Cass County and Morris County.
He took his work in medicine at the medical college at Memphis, Tenn. He took the state examination in 1897 before the State Medical Board and received his license to practice his profession. He was a great student of medicine, and at various times he took courses in medicine and surgery, building himself to the top of his profession as a practicing physician. He remained in East Texas until 1916 when he and his family moved to Afton, where he has made his home since. The 22 years in this country has endeared him to a great number of people and he became one of the most beloved men in Dickens County. It was in the horse and buggy days and the night was never too dark, nor the weather too cold for Dr. Haney to answer a call to administer to the suffering. In 1920 he installed a drug store at Afton to assist in his work. Later he added other merchandise and by the assistance of his sons, was able to serve the people in Afton community in a great way. Dr. Haney was a member of the Christian church and was a daily example to his religious profession. His life was devoted to the service of humanity, and his religious experience went along with his profession. He was devoted to both of these fraternities.
His health began to fail in 1927 and since that time he was not able to attend the calls as well as he had before. In 1934 he became quite ill and since then has not attempted to do practice except just to assist his neighbors and friends on special occasions.
Since the death of his beloved wife one year ago, he has not seemed so much concerned about this life. It appeared that he wanted to go on to be with her. He and Mrs. Haney had been life partners more than fifty-two years. They observed their golden wedding anniversary November 4, 1934 and enjoyed the pleasure of having most of their children and a great number of friends with them at that time. Mrs. Haney has been greatly missed since her going, and Dr. Haney will be missed by his great host of friends. Both of them were great benefactors to their community and lived to make others happy.
©Dickens County Times, April 14, 1938
Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004
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