Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 694 

DAVID BARNES. One of the active, prominent and enterprising citizens of Grant Township is David Barnes, who is quite extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 19. His parents, David W. and Taphatha (Brush) Barnes, were natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was one of the pioneers of Illinois, having come to where Peoria now stands in 1813, when the place was known as Ft. Clark. He engaged in agriculture, and remained a resident of the Prairie State until his death, which occurred in 1871. His estimable wife preceded him to that mystic land that lies beyond the grave about three years.

            David Barnes was born in Fulton County, Ill., July 18, 1839, and was the fourth child born to his parents, who had seven children. He was reared upon the parental farm, and received his education in the excellent district schools of his native State. He remained at home assisting his father until his marriage, which took place in March, 1861, at which time he led to the altar Mary Wilson, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va., Sept. 15, 1826. She was the second in a family of six children born to her parents, Moses and Martha (Winnegar) Wilson, both of whom were also natives of the Old Dominion. After their marriage the couple settled on a farm in Illinois, where they made their home until coming to Kansas, in 1874. On his arrival in Sedgwick County Mr. Barnes purchased 160 acres of railroad land on section 31, in Grant Township, on which he settled, and commenced improving, but in 1879 sold it, and bought 160 acres of prairie on section 19, to which he moved the following year, and where he now resides. The whole quarter-section is brought under cultivation, and to the uses of civilized man, and is one of the finest farms in this portion of the township. His improvements are all of a good and substantial character, and thoroughly fitted for the uses to which he puts them. He is giving large attention to the rearing of stock, principally graded draft horses, and high-grade Short-horn cattle.

            Mr. and Mrs. Barnes' family consists of five children: Zerelda, Mrs. H. C. Smith, who is a resident of Valley Center; Mary; Minnie, Mrs. G. W. Morris, who is living on a farm nearby; Eva, and Abner, who is still attending school. In politics Mr. Barnes votes with the Republican party, but is not an active politician. Although no aspirant for public office, he still has held the positions of Road Overseer and School Director for a number of years. Mrs. Barnes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a most estimable, kind and charitable Christian woman.

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