Riley Rinaldo BARNES

BARNES, ELLIS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/31/2015 at 21:02:21

June 1, 1829 --- February 1, 1892

Riley R. Barnes

Died – February 1st, 1892 at the residence of his sister-in-law, Mrs. D. H. Barnes, of Troy township, Wright county, Iowa. Riley R. Barnes, aged sixty-two years and eight months.

The deceased was born in Jefferson County, NY, June 1st, 1829. At the age of 8 he moved with his parents to LaGrange county, Indiana. In the summer of 1853 he was converted and joined the Baptist church in Wolcott, Indiana, and remained in that faith as long as he lived. In the fall of 1855 he moved to Webster county, Iowa, and made his home with his brother, S. K. Barnes, until the spring of 1858, when with others he crossed the plains to Oregon. When the Civil War broke out he joined Company F, First Regiment of Oregon Cavalry and was enrolled on the 25th of November, 1861. At the close of his three year service he returned to Indiana, intending to remain near his aged father as long as he lived. On account of his health he moved to Minnesota in the spring of 1866. Here he spent his time improving a farm and building mills, etc. But realizing he was soon to lose his eye-sight he came to Wright county, Iowa, in 1882 to live with his brother, D. H. Barnes who had moved there from Indiana. His worst fears were soon realized and for nine years he lived in darkness. On the 7th of March, 1890, his brother D. H. Barnes passed away and left the care of him to his wife and sons. In the following April he had a severe illness which lasted two months and which he never fully recovered.

On the 10th of January, 1892, he became ill. His physicians from the first gave little encouragement. He gradually grew weaker and his sufferings were great yet he bore them patiently and often expressed a wish to pass away and be at rest. He was one of fourteen children, one sister, Mrs. M. A. Ellis, of Madison, Nebraska, alone survived him. During his illness his relatives assisted by kind neighbors, did all they could to relieve his suffering and restore him to health but all to no avail. The funeral services were held at the house at 10:00 am, February 3rd. The Rev. Faus, of Woolstock, used the 12th verse of the 4th chapter of Amos as a text. The friends and neighbors followed his remains to the Troy cemetery where he was laid to rest near his brother.