Joseph B Barnett

BARNETT

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 21:19:18

Joseph B Barnett from the age of fifteen year to the present time Joseph B Barnett has been dependent upon his own resources and well may he be called a self made man for his success has resulted from his untiring labor, perseverance and capable management. He was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, December 14, 1844, and is a son of James b and Lettie (McDonell) Barnett, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Scotch descent. In his early days the father accompanied his parents from Virginia to Kentucky and when our subject was three years of age removed to Jackson county, Missouri, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his active business career, making a specialty of the raising of flax and tobacco. He also filled the position of Indian agent in the district. He was a gentleman of superior education and ability and exerted a strongly felt influence among his fellow men. His life was ever upright and honorable and he was a minister of the Society of Friends. His death occurred when he was seventy-four years of age and his wife passed away a the age of sixty-nine. In their family were five children, two sons and three daughters: Ann, wife of John F Elbert, Joseph B, Nancy, James and Sarah.
When only fifteen years of age Joseph B Barnett left home and went to California in search of a fortune. He remained on the Pacific coast for seven years and then returned to the Mississippi valley but again went to Californian and continued there until 1872. That year witnessed his arrival in Iowa where he found employment with the Hawkeye Insurance Company until 1881, and from the latter year until 1885 he was a resident of Crawford county, this state. In September 1885, he came to Boone and engaged in raising Poland China hogs, being the first man too introduce that breed into this county. He also originated the Hawkeye herd of Poland China hogs, which he later sold to A J Benson of O’Brien county, Iowa in 1892. From 1896 until July 1899, Mr Barnett was engaged in the real estate business in Boone, and in the latter year he purchased a half interest in the Boone County Democrat, but a year later he sold out. He then again turned his attention tot eh real estate business, which he is still conduction, controlling some valuable and desirable property and negotiating many important real estate transactions.
On December 28, 1882, Mr Barnett was untied in marriage to Miss Mary C Snodgrass, a daughter of the Rev J W Snodgrass, of Boone. He is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, belonging to Boonesboro Lodge, No 324. He is a member of the executive committee of the Business Men’s Association and in politics he is a Democrat. His life has been on of continuous activity, in which he has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county, His interests are thoroughly identified with those of the northwest, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.

1902 Boone County History Book