Biography - Anderson Barnett
1886 Biography
Anderson Barnett, now residing in Knoxville, was born in Randolph
Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, the 19th of February, 1811. Like most
retiring dispositions and lives, the even tenor of whose way influences and
interests, without in any measure importuning the time and surroundings in
which they are cast, that of Mr. Barnett affords a striking illustration. In
disposition his father was not unlike him in this particular.
The latter gentleman's name was John Barnett, a native of Goochland County,
Va., where he was born on the 16th day of June, 1778. The father of John was
Arthenathas Barnett, a Virginian of prominence, who emigrated with his
family into that State, afterward settling in Clinton County, Ohio, where he
followed the occupation of farming. Here he resided until his death. The
father of Mr. Barnett grew to manhood in his native county, being brought up
on his father's farm until his marriage with Elizabeth Hutchins. This lady
was born in Goochland County, Va., April 15th, 1782. Her husband emigrated
to Ohio and settled in Montgomery County, he being one of the earliest of
its settlers. He was accompanied by his wife and three children, and his
only worldly possessions on his arrival in Montgomery County were
eighty-three dollars in money. Purchasing 80 acres of land on time, he built
a log cabin for himself and family, and immediately commenced farm
improvements. Here he continued to reside until 1838, when he sold his farm
and removed to Indiana, settling in Fountain County, and buying an improved
farm. After residing here a few years he took up his residence in Fulton
County and died October 7th, 1854, his wife having died on the 16th of
December, 1850.
They were both members of the Society of Friends, but toward the close of
her life Mrs. B. became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By this
marriage were 12 children, 11 of whom grew to man and womanhood. Two of
these, however, Isaac and our subject, are the only members of the family,
now living.
Mr. Barnett was the seventh child and attained to his manhood in his native
county. During his boyhood he assisted his father in clearing the farm, and
to obtain an education availed himself of such opportunities as were
presented at the time and under trying circumstances. Having finally fitted
himself for the position of teacher, he obtained an engagement in this
capacity, which he united with farming operations. He describes the
schoolhouse as built of logs, with a puncheon floor and with wooden hinges
on which to hang the door. With these crudities and a few slab benches the
furniture of the schoolhouse was complete. At first he received a salary of
only ten dollars per month, out of which he was to board himself.
On the tenth of May, 1832, he married Mrs. Margaret Mason, a native of
Montgomery County, Ohio, where she was born Sept. 29, 1815. She was the
daughter of William and Nancy (Huey) Mason, natives of Virginia, who settled
in Ohio, while that State was yet a territory. At the time of this marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett located on his father's farm, where they lived
contentedly until 1837, when they started with a pair of horses and wagon,
and proceeded on their journey westward, bringing with them a portion of
their household goods. On their westward journey, they camped as best they
could, and after enduring no little hardship arrived in Knox County August
25 of that year. He had previously purchased land on section 10, in what is
now Orange township. Here he built a log cabin. During the following winter,
he taught the second term of school in Orange township and several
subsequent terms in different parts of the county.
He was elected one of the first members of the Board of Trustees in Orange
township, in which capacity he served for six years, when in 1846 he was
appointed Treasurer, and served continuously in this office during his
residence in this township. For 12 years he filled the position of Justice
of the Peace, an office which he held with credit to himself and justice to
others. At one time he was compelled to sell 40 acres of his land in order
to purchase stock with which to make a fresh start in life. He next improved
and fenced 120 acres of land, erected a brick dwelling and suitable barn and
planted fruit trees of different varieties. This residence he occupied until
1872, when he moved to Knoxville, where he now lives.
These excellent people have ten children now living, Elizabeth, wife of
Henry Allen, lives in Nemaha County, Kan.; Nancy, wife of Thomas Colwell,
living in Coffey County, Kan.; Celia, wife of Riley Lawrence and lives at
Gilson, Knox County; Alexander who lives in Taylor County, Iowa; Louisa
Jane, wife of J. W. Dennis, resides in Johnson County, Kan.; Irene, wife of
Milton Dennis, lives in Franklin County, Kan.; Alice, wife of Henry Turner,
who resides in Johnson County, Neb.; Albert, living in Holt County, Neb.;
and Warren W. who has settled in Coffey County, Kan.
Mr. Barnett is prominent in his community as a theological student and is an
earnest inquirer and commentator in Biblical matters. His wife is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a lady remarkable for her devotion to
every good cause, and earnestness in promoting the principles of a sound
religion. Mr. B. was first a Whig, but on the organization of the Republican
Party he became identified with it.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 262
Poem by Anderson Barnett
Old Friends
"Old Friends: what magical words!
They are music embellished with love.
Emotions come forth from the sounds they produce
As light from the ether above.
The days of my childhood and youth,
My friends of those years long since past,
As long as my senses my thoughts can control,
Those soul-pleasing memories shall last.
As I sit by my fireside and think
Of my father and mother now dead,
My mind will revert to the scenes of my youth
And the many kind words that they said.
Their faces remembered so well,
Their features I cannot mistake,
So often in my dreams I go back to my youth
And ponder those scenes when awake.
Where are they? those friends that I knew
So well in the morning of my life?
My brothers and sisters who shared all my joys
And sorrows abounding so rife?
Companions endeared to me then
By many compassionate ties,
I now look back through the vista of years
To those pleasures and sorrows and sighs.
Many years have passed with their fruitage,
and flowers so brilliant and gay,
But those dear companions of childhood and youth,
Dear to me as life, where are they?
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 1008
