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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
J. M. BARNES resides on section 23 of Spring Creek Township, and is a farmer and stock- raiser. He was born in Richland County, Ohio April 12, 1824, and is a son of J. J. and Mary A (Derrick) Barnes. His mother was of English descent and birth, while his father was born in Maryland and was of German parentage. Both parents died in Richland County, Ohio, and during their lives followed the occupation of farming. The subject of this sketch was married, May 1, 1845, to Miss Caroline Wellslager, born Jan. 7, 1827, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Welsh) Wellslager. To them have been born six children: J. E.; Charles O., deceased; John R.; Sadie, deceased; M. W. and Anna, deceased. His wife died July 19, 1868, and he was again married, in what is now Spring Creek Township, May 6, 1869, to Mrs. Mary C. Thompson nee McAlister, daughter of John B. and Mary B. (Boon) McAlister, and born in Spring Creek Township, Oct. 26, 1842. They have two children, Maud and Mabel. Her father was one of the first settlers of Spring Creek Township, came here before the land was in the market, and took up 160 acres on section 22. He died in the Indian Territory while on a visit, Aug. 15, 1881; the mother in Spring Creek Township, May 7, 1855. In 1850 Mr. Barnes made a trip to California, remained eighteen months, then came home again, and has since visited Colorado, where he remained eighteen months. He came to Iowa in the fall of 1854 and rented a farm in Richland Township, three years, and in 1857 he bought a farm of 160 acres of improved land in Harrison Township, this county. This farm he improved and resided on until the spring of 1881, when he sold out and bought 120 acres where he now resides. He gave forty to his son M. W. He has made general farming and stock-raising his principal business, and is a breeder of imported horses, both Clydesdale and Norman, making a specialty of this class of animals. He is also engaged in the breeding of Short-horn and Durham cattle, and Poland-China swine, and in these lines has in his herd some of the best animals to be found in the county. Mr. Barnes pays particular attention to the selection of the animals of his herd, buying only the best, regardless of price, his experience having already taught him that the best is the cheapest. In this branch of his business he is meeting with remarkable success, and it is his intention to continue to add to his already fine collection of animals, until they shall be second to none in number and quality. Mr. Barnes and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which they are consistent and influential members. In his political affliations Mr. Barnes is a Republican. Personally he is a man of estimable character, straightforward and honest in his dealings with men, reliable in all his representations, and a desirable neighbor, friend and citizen, enjoying in a large degree the confidence and esteem of all his acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy