Hiram Barnes

BARNES, BARNETT, LOOMIS, HALE, KIRKPATRICK, MCCORMICK

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 18:00:51

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
HIRAM BARNES
Hiram Barnes is a retired farmer and honored citizen of Birmingham, Van Buren County. Known to many throughout the county, and held in the highest esteem by all, his sketch will be received with interest by many of our readers. His birthplace is in Harrison County, Ohio, and the date on which he first opened his eyes to the light, March 18, 1818. He is a son of James A. Barnes, and a grandson of Leonard Barnes, who was probably a native of Ireland. From Maryland he removed to Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. James Barnes was born in the Buckeye State, and on reaching the age of twenty-one married Miss Elizabeth Barnett, also a native of Ohio. Her father was a Frenchman and her mother’s people belonged to the Society of Friends. Mr. Barnes improved a new farm after his marriage, and later moved from Tuscarawas County to Holmes County, where he resided some four years. It was in 1839 that he first set foot upon Iowa soil. Crossing the Mississippi, he continued his journey to Van Buren County and made a location about a mile south of Birmingham, where he entered one hundred and twenty acres of land. After building a log cabin, he began the improvement of a farm while the family lived in true pioneer style. He was called up to mourn the loss of his wife in 1862, and ten years later his death occurred. Many of the comforts of civilized life had been added to their home before that time, and a highly cultivated farm supplied their wants. He was a stalwart Republican in political sentiment, and Mrs. Barnes was a faithful member of the Methodist church. Their family numbered thirteen children, of whom the following grew to mature years—Matilda, who was married and died in Ohio; Hiram, of this sketch; Barnett, who was killed in California while in his own cabin; Reason, Sarah and Albert, who are residents of California; James, who served in the Third Iowa Cavalry during the late war and thereby lost his eyesight; Harriet and Elizabeth, who are also living in the Golden State.
The days of his boyhood and youth, Hiram Barnes spent in the state of his nativity, where he also served an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade. He came with his family to the Territory of Iowa when twenty-one years of age, and remained under the parental roof until 1846, in which year his marriage with Hannah B. Loomis was celebrated. The lady is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William and Sylvia Loomis. After his marriage, Mr. Barnes purchased land lying partly in Birmingham, and on the lot where stands their present residence he and his wife began their domestic life. He devoted his attention to farming until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he crossed the plains with three brothers and spent nearly two years in the northern mines. Again returning home, he resumed his interrupted farming labors, and in addition, engaged in the livery business, but in 1861, on the breaking out of the late war, he laid down the implements of peaceful occupation and marched away to the front.
Mr. Barnes enlisted in Company H. Third Iowa Cavalry, and when the regiment was organized was made First Lieutenant of his company, in which position he served two years, when he received his discharge on account of failing health. The service of the regiment was arduous, being mostly warfare against the guerrillas. He had command of his company during the greater part of the time, as the Captain was old and unable to take the lead. The principal engagement occurred at Kirksville Missouri, but he participated in many skirmishes.
Returning to his home, Mr. Barnes again took up farming and the livery business, which later he followed for thirty years. He is still the owner of one hundred and fifteen acres of land lying partly within the corporation limits of Birmingham, but to a great extent he has laid aside all business care and is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been born six children, yet living—Louisa, widow of W.J. Hale, has two children and is living in Birmingham, near her parents; W.A. is a farmer of Warren County Iowa and a graduate of the Commercial College of Keokuk; Belle, wife of Abe Kirkpatrick, is living in California; Virginia is the wife of Horace McCormick, of Des Moines, who is connected with the famous agricultural implement manufactory; Mary is the wife of B.F. Loomis of Kansas; and Iola is with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have a charming home in Birmingham, where they are surrounded with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has served as Mayor of that city and is an honored member of the Old Settlers Society. He cast his first Presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison, and the last vote up to this time for Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero. More than half a century has passed away since Mr. Barnes came to this country. Time and the citizens of the community have brought many changes, effacing many of the old landmarks but putting in their places structures, which show the enterprise of its settlers.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.