Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 462

CHARLES BARNES, a prominent and influential citizen of Muscatine County, now resides in West Liberty. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 10, 1831, and on the paternal side is of Welsh descent, while his ancestors on his mother's side were originally from England. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and also learned the trade of a tool-maker, and carried on the former occupation in connection with farming. He was numbered among the pioneers of Athens County, Ohio, to which he removed in 1818, continuing his residence in that county until 1830, when he located in Knox County, where he resided until 1839. In September of that year, accompanied by his family, he removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, purchasing 160 acres of land in Wapsinonoc Township, and 160 acres in Cedar County, but made his home in Muscatine County. His death occurred in the month of November, 1877, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife departed this life Dec. 23, 1879, when eighty-five years of age. They were both members of the Christian Church, devoted much of their time to the work of that denomination, and at their home the ministers were always entertained. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are yet living : George W., the eldest, died at the age of twenty-five years ; Lucy, the wife of Chester Coleman, who is now deceased, is living in Ohio ; Almon is engaged in farming in Buena Vista County, Iowa ;Annie is the wife of Hon. Samuel Chesbro, of West Liberty ; Simeon A., is living in Cedar County, Iowa ; Gilbert is a resident of Iowa County, Iowa ; Charles, of this sketch, is next in order of birth ; Franklin is a retired farmer of Wapsinonoc Township, now living in West Liberty ; Diantha is the wife of J. W. Givens, of West Liberty.

In early life our subject learned the trade of plow-making, and engaged in the manufacture of plows from the age of nineteen until his twenty-fifth year, at West Liberty. At the expiration of that time he purchased sixty acresof land on section 16, Wapsinonoc Township, where he continued to reside, enaged in farming and stock-raising, until February, 1884, when he removed to the village of West Liberty, where he has since lived a retired life, but previous to that time spent one year in Oskaloosa, and one year in Iowa City. To his estate he has added until he now owns 576 acres of land, all improved. While living on the farm he gave special attention to the raising of cattle, in which he was quite successful, and he has also given some time and attention to speculating in land.

On the 19th of September, 1852, Mr. Barnes led to the marriage altar Miss Mary M. Hemperly, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Adam and Margaret ( Smith ) Hemperly, both of whom were natives of that State. By their union six children have been born : Lucy M., the eldest, died in infancy ; Anna Bell died at the age of three years ; Iva L., is the wife of M. A. Templeman, a resident of Wapsinonoc Township ; Byron W. makes his home in Muscatine County ; Chester H., is living in Sheridan County, Kan.; H. C., a salesman in West Liberty, still resides at home.

Mr. Barnes is truly a self-made man, for commencing life without capital, he has by his own honest efforts of industry and economy become one of the wealthy citizens of this community. His success largely depends upon the careful thought which he gave to each enterprise before undertaking it, and his life might well furnish an example of what can be done by perseverance and industry. Socially, he is a member of the A.F.& A.M., while politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party. He is also a member of the Christian Church of West Liberty, and no man in the community is more deserving of esteem and confidence than he.


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