Matthew E. Haynsworth – 18th Mayor of Tampa

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Born: Unknown 

Died: Unknown

Term: February 19, 1881 – March 22, 1881 (Acting Mayor)

At present, little is known about Matthew Haynsworth. Around the year 1876, he moved to Tampa; and in January 1877, he opened a tin and coppersmith business on the corner of Lafayette (now Kennedy Boulevard) and Tampa Streets. Several months later, on May 20, 1877, he married Julia Higgenbotham of Brookesville, Florida in Hernando County. Haynsworth was also one of the many Tampa residents who signed a petition to request that the federal government preserve a section of the Fort Brooke military reserve to be used as a city park.

Haynsworth became involved in local politics and became a member of City Council on August 14, 1880 during Henry C. Ferris' tenure as mayor. He was elected city council president on August 17, 1880 and served as acting mayor when Mayor Henry Ferris moved outside the city limits and was compelled to resign as mayor. Haynsworth served for slightly more than a month. After a special election in which George B. Sparkman became mayor. Haynsworth returned to his position as city council president until his term ended on August 12, 1881.

After completing his term, Haynsworth returned to his business and, according to the Tampa Journal, was still working in Tampa in April 1890. However, Haynsworth is not listed in the Tampa Directories of 1893, 1899 or 1901. Although not conclusive, Haynsworth either left Tampa or passed away some time between May 1890 and early 1893. His whereabouts before and after he left Tampa presently remains unknown, as does his date and place of birth and death.

Sources for this Biographical Sketch:

Department of Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Tampa Council Minutes, City of Tampa Archives, Tampa, FL

January 1, 1857 – October 2, 1891 Microfilm Roll # 1