MRS.
EMELINE G. BARNETT, of Leroy, is the daughter of Elisha and Theda
(Woodruff) Gibbs, and the widow of the late Thomas J. Barnett.
She was
born in Belpre, Washington
Co., Ohio, Aug. 11, 1818. Her father, Elisha Gibbs, was a native of Connecticut, and also her grandfather, Elisha
Gibbs, Sr., the latter spending his entire life in his native State. Elisha
Gibbs, Jr., was reared in Connecticut,
and learned the trade of a carpenter and millwright. He was there married, and
soon afterward removed to New York
and located near Lake Geneva, where he
followed his trade until 1816.
He then
removed with his family to Ohio, the journey being made on a raft via the Ohio and Alleghany
Rivers. They first
located in Belpre, whence after two or three years they removed to Mt. Vernon,
Knox County, where, in
company with another man, Mr. Gibbs erected a saw and grist mill three miles
from the village. After a time he purchased the interest of his partner and
operated the mills by himself until the fall of 1838, when he decided to move
further West.
After
reaching Illinois he came into McLean County
and purchased land in what is now Empire
Township. The following
year he removed a part of his family here, his wife and two children, two sons,
having preceded him. He located in Leroy and put up the first mill in the
village. His sons operated the mill and Mr. Gibbs pursued his trade in
different places, putting in mill machinery wherever required and erecting a
number of buildings in this locality, many of which are now standing.
The
mother of Mrs. Barnett, who before her marriage was Miss Theda Woodruff, was
born in Connecticut, and a daughter of Philo Woodruff,
also a native of Connecticut, and who served as a soldier in the
Revolutionary War. He spent the last years of his life with his daughter, Mrs.
Gibbs, near Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
He was
a prominent Abolitionist, and both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church.
The
mother of Mrs. Barnett died in Leroy in March, 1854.
The
parental family consisted of seven children, of whom the record is as follows:
Maria became the wife of Luther Hill, and died in Akron, Ohio; Philo died in
Decatur, Ohio, when thirteen years old; David died in Ottumwa, Iowa; Simeon
lives in Leroy, this county; Enoch, in Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Barnett was the
sixth child; Julia married Rev. Austin Rogers, a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and lives in Heyworth.
Mrs.
Barnett spent her youth and childhood with her parents, and attended the
subscription schools. When of suitable age and attainments she entered Oberlin College and
graduated from there when twenty-five years of age, after her parents had
removed to Illinois.
After
joining them there she engaged in teaching, and continued three terms after her
marriage. This event occurred in February, 1845. Her husband, Thomas J.
Barnett, was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and born Jan. 21, 1818.
His father, Moses Barnett, was a native of Pennsylvania, also his mother, who
was formerly Miss Catharine Ellis.
In 1831
Moses Barnett, with his family, emigrated to Illinois and settled in what is
now Empire Township, this county, where their son Thomas was reared to manhood.
He received a limited education, and, his parents being without worldly wealth,
he worked out by the day or month. He broke prairie and engaged in teaming,
making frequent trips to and from Chicago, making the tedious journeys with
oxen.
The
Garden City then was but an unpretentious hamlet, and the experiences of Thomas
J. Barnett, together with the interesting scenes which he witnessed from time
to time would make an interesting volume.
After
his marriage with our subject they lived with her father's family for a time,
and Mr. Barnett cultivated a portion of the land. He was industrious,
enterprising, and possessed of excellent judgment, and was soon in a condition
to become the owner of 100 acres, which he secured and engaged as before in
general agriculture.
After a
few years he abandoned farming to engage in the grocery and hardware business,
and later merged his stock into, dry-goods. He was a thorough and successful
business man, straightforward and honest in his transactions, prompt to meet
his obligations, and became a useful and honored member of the community. He
continued in business until the summer of 1874, and then, on account of failing
health, disposed of his interests and retired from active business. He departed
this life in September, 1882.
Mr. and
Mrs. Barnett became the parents of six children, of whom the record is as
follows: Alice married John Young, and lives in Chicago; Emma became the wife
of Denton Young, a clothing merchant of Leroy; Orvin died in infancy; Orrin is a
resident of Lewistown, Fulton County, this State; Laura, Mrs. Dixon
Brown, lives in Downs Township, this county, and George in Chicago. Mrs. Barnett's
son Orrin possesses unusual musical talent which has been finely cultivated. He
attended the Conservatories of Music at Oberlin and Boston, and is
well qualified for the position which he occupies as leader in the musical
circles of his locality.
Mrs.
Barnett is a lady of more than ordinary ability, has been a wise and judicious
mother, attending closely to the training and the education of her children,
and has fitted them to become good citizens and useful members of the
community. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and greatly respected by those among whom she has lived for so many years. As a
member of society, a neighbor and friend, she has fulfilled her duties
creditably and conscientiously, and has built for herself a good record of
womanly virtues.
Portrait and biographical album of McLean County,
Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent
and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and
biographies of all the governors of Illinois, and of the presidents of the
United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), 367. Transcribed
and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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