~Page 1373~

Will H. Barnes

An exceptionally careful agriculturist is Will H. Barnes, of Harlan township, Fayette county, for to his energy, enterprise and good management his present station in life is attributed. He started on his career as an independent factor down toward the bottom of the ladder and is now the owner of a very desirable farm property and occupies a conspicuous place among the successful farmers of this locality. He is a native of the community where he resides, having preferred to remain on his native soil rather than seek his fortune in some distant neighborhood. His birth occurred June 29, 1883, and he received a very good education in the Maynard high school. He is the son of Hiram and Hattie (Rich) Barnes, who were born near Belvedere, Illinois, the father's birth occurring on September 11, 1841, and the mother’s on September 8, 1853; her death occurred on February 2, 1899. They were the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter, namely: Lillian H., born February 5, 1872, is the wife of Frank Goldsberg, of Maynard, Iowa; Lawrence C. was born July 6, 1877, and resides in Fremont township, and is manager of the ;German creamery; Will H., of this review, and Carroll O., born October 22, 1885, lives at Maynard.

Will H. Barnes grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place, and attended school at Maynard until seventeen years of age. At the time of his mother’s death in Maynard he began learning the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for three years, but believing that farming was the more remunerative, he rented his father’s farm of one hundred and twenty acres in 1903, and has devoted his attention to farming since that time, his efforts having been rewarded with a large measure of success.

Politically, Mr. Barnes is a Republican, but has never held office. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Maynard Lodge No. 149.

On September 23, 1906, Mr. Barnes married Ellen E. Payne, who was born in Harlan township, November 4, 1887, and is the daughter of Stephen and Carrie (Hollister) Payne, natives of Smithfield township and a well known family there. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnes two children have been born, namely: Louis Eugene, born August 9, 1907, and Doris Winifred, born June 21, 1909.

~transcribed by Doris A. Smith