Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-25
LAWRENCE BARNES.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES.
3ur1ington's Leading Business Man -- a
True Philanthropist An Earnest
Christian, An Influential Citizen
How he Succeeded In the
Struggle of Life.

The death of Mr.. Barnes, which took
place Monday, removes from our com
lnunity one of its most conspicuous and
most esteemed citizens. For several
months his familiar form has been missed
from our streets and places OF business
1t has been understood for some weeks
past that he was growing more and more
Feeble and would probably never leave
his bed On Friday last his sickness
chronic diarrhra, took more serious
turn, and he sank rapidly throughout
Saturday and sunday, and passed away
ABOUT noon Monday, having completed
'bzlt a few days ago, the list year of his
1ec.
Nj Barnes came of Pilgrim stock, his
ancestor, Thomas Barnes, having come
20 America IN 1856 in the historic speed
we'll Lawrence Barnes's father was Il
larmer and carpenter His mother was "A
typical New England mother, a woman of
great Intelligence, strong sense and deep
p,ety. He was born at Hillsboro, y. H.,
! Ene s, 1873. He had but a limited school
education. In accordance with custom
not unusual in those times of poverty he
bought out his tmen of his father and
vent into business for himself be-
fore attaining his majority. The story
Of his early experience in bust
ness, as he was fond of telling it,
was a succession of reverses which would
have broken down any young man who
had less than his indomitable cheerful
ness and pluck The elements, the
changes of business, the incompe tency of
partners, everything seemed to 90 against
him iOr long series of years, but he al
ways rallied from his reverses, with good
feeling toward everybody, with unim-
paired credit, and with mistaken faith in
a good Providence His substantial sue
cess dates from his location in Burlng-
ton and it may be said with almost equal
truth that the business prosperity and
growth of Burlington date from Mr.
Barness location here, and are in a large
measure due to it, At the breaking out
Of the war Burlington was mere country
village. The enormous development of
the lumber trade largely consequent on
Mr.. Barnes enterprise, has made 1t a
thriving and important city. 1t Is said
that for several years the lumber firm of
RthiHh Mr., Barnes was a member did a
a1iSness exceeding four million dollars
annl9liy,
The way in which Mr., Barnes managed
Ehjs huEe business shows his breadth and
capacity. some men soon get to
%ha end of their power, and either
break down under the pressure
Of business, or lose control of il and let it
get into hopeless confusion. Mr.. Barnes
GreW with hls business, and large as it
became it never outgrew him. He has
0ite2 aid that he spent one third of ms
life or sleeping-cars, keeping watch Of all
the branches of the business from Quebec
TO Michigan, carrying at times an enor-
nous interest account, but keeping IA firm
hand on all details, and carrying in his
'apscious mind all the factors of the com
plicsted problem he was working out.
From the very beginning of his life and
all through his early struggles Mr. Barnes
took an active interest in the public wei
fare. While he was laboTng for a dollar
a day he subscribed 300 for building {
house of worship. When the tide turned
and wealth poured in upon him, he shared
his wealth with all good enterprises il
the same generous proportion. Burling
ION has never had a more munificent ben
'eYaotor to all its public institutions. Tn,
church, the college, the various charita
BILE and benevolent societies, individual.
without number have been the recipient,
of his bounty. The largest sum ever pu
upon the subscription book of the I'm
versity was subscribed and paid bv him
No one Of the many public enterprise
started in Burlington during the last q
years has failed to secure liberal help from
him. Nor was his public spirit confined
10 Burlington. Not less than score 0
churches, several literary institutions, anC
charities of all kinds throughout and be
yond the State, have had liberal benefac
tions from ms hand. His name has Ion.
been known in the State as synonym fo
large hearted beuevolence.
Having said thus much, it is needless [,
add that Mr.. Barnes was a sincere, devon
and warm-hearted Christian. His pet,
was unaffected unassuming, but deeI
and all-controlling He loved his churci
and all churches, and all Christians Ill
found the Baptist church in this plac
small, feeble, and struggling for existence
He Immediately took hold of it with tn,
same energy which he applied to business
and with the cooperation of Mr.. Mia
Davis his partner, and others whom h
rallied around him, brought the church t.