GEORGE E. BARNES
Page 209
GEORGE E. BARNES
Page 209
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GEORGE E. BARNES, who carries on general farming in section 30, Forest City Township, is a native of the Old Granite State, his birth having occurred in Lineboro, on the 5th of September, 1832. The family was founded in America by three brothers who crossed the Atlantic from England, one settling in the south, one in Pennsylvania, and one in New England. The last was the ancestor of our subject. The grandparents, William and Abigail Barnes, were both natives of New Hampshire, and the father, Nathan Barnes, was born in Hillsboro County, N. H. He married Sarah E. Evans, a native of the Granite State. Her parents, however, were born, reared and married in Massachusetts. Nathan Barnes removed from Lineboro to Greenfield, N. Il., where he followed farming with his father until 1851, when he became a resident of Bunker Hill, Ill. His death occurred in 1871, but his widow still survives him. Both belonged to the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Barnes lone served as Deacon. He was also much interested in the cause of education, and lived an honorable, upright life, which made his word as good as his bond. In the family were ten children, seven of whom are yet living, and three of the sons served in the Civil War: Asaph, who is now living in Macoupin County; Almun, of Mason County; and Joseph, of Sumner County, Kan. Mr. Barnes of this sketch was reared and educated in Greenfield, N.H., and with his father came to Illinois. He began earning his own livelihood on attaining his majority, but lived at home until twenty-three years of age. On the 7th of November, 1854, he wedded Clarissa H. Hovey, daughter of Peres Gilbert Hovey, who was born September 25, 1795. His father, Gideon Hovey, was a son of Daniel and Content (Ramsdell) Hovey, and was a Lieutenant of Captain Town's Camp at Lexington. His death occurred in 1776. He was a son of Daniel and Mehitable (Bridges) Hovey, and Daniel's patents were Daniel and Mercy Hovey. The father was born June 22, 1665, and in 1722 bought a farm on Long Hill, where he and his descendants lived for more than a hundred years. He was a carpenter by trade, and died March 7, 1742. His wife died March 30, 1743. The mother of Mrs. Barnes, Clarisa (Packerd) Hovey, was born December 2, 1803, and was a daughter of Mayo Packard, of Oxford, Mass. He was born September 25, 1795. The parents of Mrs. Barnes were married December 4, 1821, and to them were born the following children: Daniel W., Gideon, Mrs. Mary G. Lancaster, Clarissa H., James H., Mrs. Eliza J. Ness, Mrs. Olive J. Wilson and Mrs. Sarah H. Manley. Mrs. Barnes was born September 3, 1835, and was educated at Bunker Hill. Seven children graced the union of our subject and his wife, four yet living: Alice, who is the wife of Walter Lancaster, of Nebraska, and has two children; Edward J., who married Nellie Allen, and has one child; Nellie, wife of John Evans, of Forest City Township, by whom she has two children; and Leona, at home. Two of the family died in infancy, and George P. died at the age of thirty-two. Mr. And Mrs. Barnes came to Mason County thirty-seven years ago and settled upon the farm which is still their home. It was swampy land, but our subject drained it and transformed it into a fine farm. It comprised one hundred and sixty-nine and a-half acres, and is improved with all modern conveniences and accessories. He successfully carries on general farming, and reaps therefrom a good income. In politics he is a Republican, and for more than twelve years he has served as School Director. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected people, who have many warm friends in the community. |