![]() | Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | ![]() |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 39
HARRY F. BARNARD. Among the active business men of Muscatine who have gained success through their native powers of energy and perseverance may be named Harry F. Barnard, at the head of one of the finest jewelry establishments to be found in the west. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, November 7, 1863, and is a son of Clark and Adelia A. ( Leach ) Barnard, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire and the latter of New York. The father was educated in the public schools of his native state and continued at home until about sixteen years of age, when he came west and located near Franklin Grove, Lee county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 1872 he came to Muscatine, Iowa, as a saw filer for the Chambers Borthers Lumber Company. He departed this life in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years. Our subject's grandfather Barnard was also a native of New Hampshire; was of English descent; and engaged in farming as a life occupation. The maternal grandfather, Hiram Leach, was a native of New York and also a farmer. The maiden name of his wife was Maria Farnum. Her father having been called away, Mrs. Leach settled in Lee county, Illinois, but later removed to Red Oak, Iowa, where she died at the age of seventy-seven years. She was the mother of eleven children. Unto Clark and Adelia A. Barnard two children were born: Harry F., our subject; and Eugene G., of Muscatine, Iowa.Harry F. Barnard came to Muscatine with his parents at nine years of age and was educated in the public and high schools of this city, showing an interest in his studies which gave great promise for his future career. After laying his books aside he learned the jeweler's trade and in 1889, being then twenty-six years of age, he began in the jewelry business under his own name and has continued with a high degree of success. He has one of the most complete and attractive jewelry stores in the state and has gained an enviable reputation for honest dealing, being today one of the most estimable citizens of Muscatine.
On the 19th of August, 1888, Mr. Barnard was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Faulkner, a daughter of Walter and Dorothy ( Plessis ) Faulkner, the former born in Virginia and the latter in France. They were early settlers of Muscatine and are still living here. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard are earnest members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and active workers in its behalf. Mr. Barnard is a stanch supporter of the republican party but has never sought political honors, as he has preferred to devote all his attention to his business. He has for twenty-one years been closely identified with the mercantile interests of Muscatine and has been one of the potent factors in advancing the permanent welfare of the city, always lending his assistance to any worthy undertaking. He is public-spirited, patriotic, and capable and has fairly won the high place he holds in the estimation of the best people of the city and county.
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