Ward W. BARNES, who for the past many years has been identified with the farming and business interests of Howard county [NE], has also taken an active part in the political and official life of that region. While pursuing his career he has done his full share in helping to build up the vicinity and has become prosperous and successful, now being among the popular men of his county.

Mr. BARNES was born in Allegany county, New York, June 30, 1854. At the age of three years he accompanied his parents west, they locating in northern Illinois, where they lived for about six years. They also lived in Warren county, Illinois, for a number of years, and in 1873 removed to Iowa, settling on a farm in Ringgold county. During the third year of their residence in that state our subject started in life for himself, beginning farming on his own account, also worked out by the month. He was married on the twentieth day of March, 1881, to Miss Mattie SHAFFER, of Ringgold county, Iowa, and the following year they came on to Valley county, Nebraska, remaining one year. In the spring of 1883, they moved to Greeley county, settled on a rented farm, spent a short time there, and then took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Custer county, the family taking possession of their new home in the following spring. They remained there but one year then relinquished on the claim and returned to Greeley county, living there for one year. Their next move was into Howard county, where Mr. BARNES worked rented land for about ten years, then purchased one hundred and sixty acres situated in sections twenty and twenty-nine, township sixteen, range twelve, which tract was mostly under cultivation, and for which he paid three thousand two hundred dollars. He remained on the farm up to 1906, then sold out for eight thousand dollars, showing the phenomenal rise in land values during that time, although, of course, he had added various improvements to the place. In the spring of 1906 he purchased a ten-acre tract just at the edge of Cotesfield, and built thereon a comfortable residence, which he still makes his home.

Mr. BARNES is an active public-spirited citizen, a populist in politics, and has served officially in Elba precinct from 1898 to 1905, inclusive, as assessor during most of that time. In the fall of 1906 he was elected county commissioner and re-elected in 1909, which office he is still filling. During his residence in Greeley county he held the office of treasurer of the county, also was a Member of the Union district school board.

Mr. BARNES' first wife died on May 10, 1894, and two years later he was married to Miss Mary COOK, of Howard county. There were seven children born of the first union, named as follows: Etta, Earl and Goldie, all married and settled in comfortable homes in Howard county; Mary and Mabel, are employed as long distance telephone operators in the St. Paul offices of the telephone company, while Claude and Reuben are both farming near Cotesfield. The four children resulting from Mr. BARNES' second marriage are: Lester, Edmond, Emil and Armel May, all living at home.

Source:
BURTON, William R. and LEWIS, David J.   History Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska, Illustrated  Vol. II, p. 768. Alden Publ. Co., Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2008