Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 435
FRANKLIN BARNES, a retired farner residing in West Liberty, who formerly resided on section 17, Wapsinonoc Township. is a native of Knox County, Ohio, born in 1833. He is the son of Enos and Charlotte ( Bagley ) Barnes, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New Hampshire, born of English descent.The father was an enlisted soldier of the War of 1812, but never entered actively into service. In 1818 he removed with his family to Athens County, Ohio, where he developed a farm, and later became a resident of Knox County, that State, being among its pioneer settlers. By trade he was a blacksmith, and followed that occupation in connection with farming. Leaving his home in Ohio, in 1830 Mr. Barnes continued his journey westward, locating upon a farm in Wapsinonoc Township, Muscatine County. The previous year he had made a trip to Iowa and located his land. He purchased considerable land, and made his home on section 12, Wapsinonoc Township, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in November, 1880, at the ripe old age of eighty years. His wife survived him a short time, dying in 1883, when eighty-three years of age. They were both members of the Christian Church, and were highly respected people. Mr. Barnes took great interest in church work, and was a devoted member of the society to which he belonged. In his political sentiments he was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party in after life, having previous to the organization of that party cast his ballot with the Whigs. Nine children were born of his union with Charlotte Bagley, eight of whom are yet living : George, the eldest, died at the age of twenty-six years ; Lucy, widow of Chester Coleman, resides in Brandon. Onio ; Almon, engaged in farming near Sulphur Springs, Iowa ; Amy is the wife of Hon. Samuel T. Chesebro, of West Liberty ; Simeon A. is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Cedar County, Iowa ; Gilbert makes his home at Millersburg, Iowa County ; Charles is a resident of West Liberty ; Franklin, of this sketch ; Diantha, wife of J. A. Givens, is a resident of West Liberty.

Our subject was reared to manhood upon a farm, and in the district schools of this county received his education. In 1857 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth LaRue, a native of Ohio, born in Wayne County, and a daughter of John and Abigail ( Knight ) LaRue, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania though the former was of French descent, his great-grandfather being a native of France. To this worthy couple have been born five children : Thedora, wife of Robert C. Wagner, of Johnson County, Iowa ; Susie, who wedded George Gibson, is a resident of Muscatine County ;Fannie L., a music teacher residing at home ; Harry, who is farming on the old homestead, and Nellie, who resides with her parents.

Mr. Barnes made his first purchase of land in 1857, at which time he became the owner of eighty acres on section 17, Wapsinonoc Township. Since that time he has bought 285 acres adjoining his original purchase, 120 acres in Cass County, Iowa, and 320 acres near Lincoln,Nebraska, aggregating in all 805 acres. From the wild, uncultivated land which he first purchased Mr. Barnes has developed one of the best farms in Muscatine County, a commodious residence has been erected at the cost of $3,000, a fine barn has been built, worth $2,000, and the other out-buildings are models of convenience. The land is all under a high state of cultivation, and he has given special attention to the raising of hogs and horses. In the month of Feb. 1889, Mr. Barnes retired from active life and removed to the town of West Liberty, where he will make his future home. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party, and is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Wapsinonoc Township. His honorable, upright course of life since becoming a resident of this county has won him the respect and confidence of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact, and he is held in high regard throughout the community.

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