Milton Barnett

BARNETT, GRIMS, MCCAULLY, REED, ANTROBUS, CAMERON, HOOD, MCCULLOUGH

Posted By: deb (email)
Date: 1/2/2018 at 10:33:22

A Portrait and Biographical Album of Des Moines County, Iowa

Milton Barnett, steward of the Poor Farm of Des Moines County, Iowa, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, June 10, 1828, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Grims) Barnett, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The grandparents on both sides went to Belmont County in 1820, and there Jacob Barnett became acquainted with and wedded Elizabeth Grims, in 1823. Eight children were born to them: Eliza became the wife of Asa McCaully, and died in 1845; Mary, wife of Eli Reed, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, who is now engaged in farming in Cook County, Oregon; Catherine died in 1850, in New London, Iowa, at the age of twenty-one; Caroline wedded John Antrobus, a farmer of Northwestern Kansas; Rachel is the wife of John T. Cameron, a grain-dealer of Arkansas City, Kansas, who served through the war; Franklin is engaged in farming in Bates County, Missouri; Martha is the wife of Robert Hood, a farmer of Decatur County, Indiana; Amy, widow of Charles McCullough, makes her home in Hastings, Nebraska. This family came to Burlington, Iowa, April 11, 1845, locating upon a farm near New London, Iowa, where the children reached maturity, married and later left their home. On coming to Des Moines County, which was then the Far West, Mrs. Barnett hoped to keep her children near her, but, as one by one they married, they became more widely separated. After the marriage of our subject the mother mad her home with him near Dodgeville, in Franklin Township, until her death, which occurred in 1863. She was a consistent Christian, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The early life of our subject was spent in his native county, where he received his education in the common schools. On the death of his father the care of the farm devolved upon him, he being then only eighteen years of age, but he managed it, ably and well. On the 22d of January, 1852, Mr. Barnett led to the marriage altar Miss Caroline Prickett, a native of Bond County, Illinois, and daughter of Jacob and Jane (Lee) Prickett, the father's native State being Georgia, and Illinois the mother's. Mr. Prickett is yet living in Creston, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-five.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barnett took up their residence on a farm in New London Township, Henry County, Iowa,, but later removed to Franklin Township, Des Moines County, where, for twenty years, they made their home. In the spring of 1873 they became residents of Yellow Spring Township and remained upon that farm until March 1884, when, through the high recommendation of his many warm friends in that township, Mr. Barnett was appointed Steward of the Poor Farm. Prior to this time the farm had been rented, the county paying so much per week to the Steward, but that proving unsatisfactory, the present plan of paying a salary was instituted, and our subject, though a stalwart Republican, was elected by the Democratic board as manager. The fact that he holds the position, though many are politically opposed to him, shows with what fidelity and ability he discharges his duties.

To Mr. and Mrs. Barnett have been born twelve children, four of whom died in infancy. Those living are: William O., now of Red Oak, Iowa; Sarah, wife of D. E;, Bridges, a farmer residing in Nebraska; Irene is the wife of Hamilton Talbot a resident farmer of Pottawattamie County, Iowa; Allen, assistant on the Poor Farm, is the husband of Ollie Magel; Carrie, Emma O. and Lulu and Estella (twins) all reside at home.

The Poor Farm, under the charge of Mr. Barnett, has been managed to the entire satisfaction of the Board of Supervisors; all purchases have been entrusted to his care, and the institution receives his undivided attention. Mr. and Mrs. Barnett, with two of their daughters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has filled almost all the township offices, and socially he is a member of Lodge No. 226, A. F. & A. M., of Mediapolis, Iowa.