Robert March Hanes was born on this day in 1890, in Winston-Salem, to John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes.
He attended Woodberry Forest School, and graduated from the University of North Carolina. He earned his B. A. degree in 1912. The following year he attended the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University.
Robert began his working career as secretary and treasurer at Crystal Ice Company and stayed with this company until he entered the U. S. Army in 1917. He was commissioned a first lieutenant, and advanced to major during his wartime service. He was discharged in December 1918.
He married Mildred Borden in 1917.
After the war, Robert joined his brother in the Hanes Rubber Company. He left this business to work at Wachovia Bank and Trust Company in 1919, and was made its vice president in 1920. He was promoted to the presidency in 1931.
Robert served in the North Carolina General Assembly representing Forsyth County in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
He served on many boards for local businesses and organizations. He was elected president of the North Carolina Bankers Association, and was president of the American Bankers Association in 1937.
And, he worked on perfecting the state’s Research Triangle Development, which he served as chairman. He spoke to the organization at a dinner when organization of the research center was announced. The Robert M. Hanes Building was dedicated at the Research Triangle Park in 1960.
Robert passed away in 1959.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
