HENRY BARNES

     Henry Barnes was born in Montpelier, Vt., August 16, 1836; the son of Henry Y. Barnes and Caroline Yale Barnes. Mr. Barnes began business as a harness-maker in 1857, in Vermont, and followed that trade for 12 years.  Then he moved to Iowa and became a farmer in Pottawattamie Co., in 1869. He held various township offices: Justice of the Peace, Trustee, etc. He was married, first to Mary E. Gentle, Oct. 7, 1858; she was born in Canada in 1835, and died in Vermont in Oct., 1864. Her parents were Hiram and Mary Bateman Gentle, natives of New York State. Mr. Barnes was married to Emma S. Stratton, May 23, 1866.  She was born in Greenwich, Mass., July 26, 1840; her parents were Nathaniel H. and Susan H. (Legg) Stratton.  Mr. Barnes had three children by his first wife: Henry, b. July 21 1859; Charles, b. Nov. 1, 1861; and Fred, b. Dec. 3, 1863.  By his second wife he had two children: Frank, b. June 30, 1867; and Nellie, b. Oct. 21, 1877.  The family were members of the Congregational Church.  After leaving the farm, Henry Barnes moved to Elliott, where he was first in the grain and coal business. Later he had a lumber yard.  Then he was postmaster for many years. 

     He died in 1911 at the age of 75.  All his children and grandchildren are now deceased, excepting Herschel Barnes of Bensenville, Ill., and Dewey Barnes of Elliott. They are sons of Charles Barnes.  He had an acreage of 14 acres east of the present school building in Elliott.  He built three homes there, the first one is still standing.