Barnhouse

BARNHOUSE GUTHRIE MCCANE MILLER JAMES STACKER DIETRICK MAINS DUNBAR BRANDENBURG MILLER HUSS

Posted By: Carlyss Noland (email)
Date: 4/10/2014 at 18:24:59

CHARLES AND EMMA BARNHOUSE FAMILY HISTORY
By Mrs. Everett Guthrie

For a background of the Barnhouse family, I would like to start with my grandfather,
Thomas S. Barnhouse, who was born at Port Washington, Ohio, March 5, 1883, of English descent. His wife, Mary Hamersley Barnhouse, was born in Ohio, December 6, 1834, of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her folks were from the state of Pennsylvania. She had a twin brother, Christopher Hamersley. My grandparents were married December 8, 1856, and were the parents of seven children, one dying in infancy. The children were Harriet Barnhouse Delahoyde and Margaret Ann Barnhouse McCane, both born in Ohio, Della Barnhouse Miller, Thomas L., James, and Charles, born in Poweshiek County, Iowa.

Grandmother’s twin brother was a musician and a violinist. He never married; as a young man he operated a tugboat on the Mississippi River. While on duty, he was robbed, killed, thrown in the river, and was later found by friends.

Grandmother’s parents were Andrew Hamersley, born in 1810, and Catherine Stocker Hamersley, born in 1816.

Andrew Stocker, a relative, enrolled in the Militia during the war of the Revolution in 1781. His home was in Pennsylvania and he served under Commander Colonel Roup from 1781-1782.

Uncle Charles Delahoyde (husband of Harriet) served in the Civil War; he was injured and received a discharge from the service.

Deciding to leave Ohio, grandfather and family located in Malcom, Poweshiek County, Iowa. They were farm folks and pioneers in the area when the Grinnell cyclone struck, leveling the family home and scattering the family about the yard. Margaret Ann received a broken collar bone, dad a knee injury and the rest of the family were bruised and badly frightened. Grandmother watched the bad cloud as it approached, saying it looked like two dark haystacks upside down. The storm advanced so quickly that they didn’t have time to take shelter in the cave. The family then moved in with their daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Delahoyde and children, Earl, Mary and Fred. The latter was like brother to my father.

The Barnhouse Family operated a hotel at Victor, Iowa, for a period, but being farmers at heart they moved west, to Beaver Township near Menlo to the Moore Farm.

The younger children received their education in the Menlo School, although much time was spent away from school with the boys assisting their parents with the farm work. As a sideline, the men raised fine Percheron horses and travelled to other states to show and sell them.

Uncle James died at this residence in 1902, the result of a fall in the barn. He was engaged to be married to Blanche Dietrick.

Grandfather journeyed to the old Grist Mills many times by team and wagon, taking grain and sugar cane, to be processed into food for the family as flour, corn meal and Black Strap molasses, a type of syrup made from the sugar cane and used in cooking. Fine woolens were purchased from the famous Lonesdale Woolen Mills, located at Dale City, Iowa. Returning late at night, a warm supper was always ready for him as grandmother was waiting up for his return.

In late years, the elder Barnhouses retired to Stuart, where they both died. He died on January 10, 1910, and she, January 19, 1913. Interment was in South Oak Cemetery, in the same town.

Father met my mother, Emma E Mains, when she came to the Barnhouse home to assist his mother with the housework. Thomas L. married Nettie E. Mains December 22, 1897. She was the sister of Emma, who became the wife of Charles on February 12, 1902. Thomas L. and wife were the parents of fourteen children: four died in infancy. Their children and Charles’ children called one another double cousins. Many good times were enjoyed, as Mom and Aunt Nettie and family visited often. The children had many romps together and enough children for a baseball team.

Father was born June 18, 1878, and mother, November 2, 1877. Their children were Floyd, born March 31, 1904; Wayne, born June 23, 1909; Luene Barnhouse Guthrie, born February 28, 1913; and Blanche Barnhouse Branden burg, born July 7, 1917. All were educated in the Thompson Township public schools.

My family lived for many years across the road from mother’s folks, the Jesse P. Mains. Our family assisted them in many ways—caring for them in their home until their deaths. Grandmother Mains lived with us in her declining years.

Mother’s parents were Jesse P. Mains, born October 25, 1842 in Dublin Park, Indiana, of French descent; and Sarah Smith Mains, born October 25, 1844, in Nashville, Tennessee, of Irish and Dutch descent. They were early settlers in Beaver and Thompson Townships. Their children were William H., James A. Mary (Mrs. A. D. Moraine), Martha (Mrs. Charles Theurer), Nettie (Mrs. Thomas L. Barnhouse), and Emma (Mrs. Charles E. Barnhouse). All are deceased. Jesse Mains died August 13, 1919 and Sarah Mains died August 9, 1928. Both are buried in Glendon Cemetery.

After it was sold to Glen and Lorna Dunbar, my folks and family moved from the farm in Beaver Township to a farm of 194 acres, Section 7, Jefferson Township, known as the Nick Frederickson farm. The farm was later purchased in 1939. Aside from farming, the men folks were carpenters and mechanics, and served the community in many lines of custom work. The daughters assisted the family with farm and household duties until their marriages. (Luene to Everett Guthrie and Blanche to Carl Brandenburg).

Floyd M. died at this residence, March 1, 1932.

The Guthrie children are: Lee E., born January 30, 1939, and Janna Gay, born June 22, 1953.

The folks decided to sell the Frederickson farm to Bill and Mary F. Percy and purchased the Miller farm of 240 acres, Section 19, Jefferson Township, in 1943. Dad died at this residence January 6, 1947.

Mother and son, Wayne, operated the family farm until his marriage to Leona Huss of Adair, February 22, 1953. They moved to their farm of 240 acres, Section 36, Walnut Township. Their son, Charles, was born March 15, 1954.

Mother moved to Menlo and lived there ten years until her death May 12, 1963. Her farm was operated by the Gene Dickey family for 15 years.

In 1969 the Barnhouse Estate farm was sold to eldest daughter, Luene, and her husband Everett Guthrie.

My folks were hospitable folks; their home was an open door to any visitor. They were always willing to lend a helping hand to one in need. They were members of the Methodist Church at Menlo, and are buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, along with their son, Floyd.

Transcribed from Adair County History, 1976
Pages 151-152