“Colonel” Greene Henderson Haigler (1855−1944) was born in Old Cherokee County, before it was divided into Clay and Graham Counties. He had moved here as a school teacher, and then became its Superintendent of Schools. For 17 years he was also employed at Citizens Bank as Head Cashier, equivalent today to a Vice President. Later, as their representative, Dun and Bradstreet employed him to conduct credit references on individuals living in the area. In 1884 he was Hayesville’s Postmaster and, in 1891, the U.S. Government Commission appointed him to an office similar to a United States Marshall.
In 1905, Mr. Haigler was instrumental in organizing the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) for the State of North Carolina, and became its first Worthy Grand Patron. In 1909, Mr. Haigler was newspaper Editor of the Clay County Courier.
