News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-02-05
Robert e, Barnes.

AS was mentioned III last week issue
of this paper, Robert (. Barnes passed
away Tuesday, Jan. %, 1902. Although
for some time past he had not enjoyed
the best of health, he was comparatively
we'll for a man of his years, and his sud-
den death from heart failure was a sur
prise to his many friends and relatives.
The funeral was held from his late resi-
dence at Riverside on Friday and was
conducted by B. L. Austin of Johnson,
Rev. Mr.. Booth Of Morrisville officiating,
music being furnished by the Cong'l
choir of Hyde Park village. The large
attendance from this and adjoining
towns gave evidence of the respect and
esteem in which the deceased was held.
Aaron Keeler Post, G. A. R, of which
Mr.. Barnes was COmrade, were present
in a body and performed The burial
services of that order at the grave, in
terment being in the Barnes District
cemetery. The No. Hyde Park Drum
Corps were also present i'll a body to
pay respect to their leader, friend and
instructor.
Deceased was born in Brandon, Vt,
May %, 1880 His parents were Eben-
ezer and RebeCca (WhitCOmb) Barnes,
who with their five children moved to
this town III 1899 and settled on the farm
now known as the Eben Barnes place.
In early life lie acquired a good common
school education, He also learned the
mason S trade and at the age of 81 years
went to Lowell, Mass, where he soon
engaged in the mill business.
In 1851 he married Miss Susan P.
Fletcher of Chelmsford, Mass, and i'll
1884 returned to Hyde Park and engaged
in farming. His wife died Aug. "a,
1858, leaving two daughters, who sur
vive him. They are Mrs. E. y. Grimes
and Mrs. P. T. DEMO of this town. In
1861 he married Miss Lucy Hooper of
Johnson, who died May 10, 1888. Of
this union two daughters and one son
survive him, Mrs. Jennie Hooper of Los
Angeles, Cal, and Miss Juna and Wal
ter, who have remained at the paternal
home to care for their father in his de-
Clining years.
At the outbreak of the late rebellion,
Mr.. Barnes was among the first to vol
unteer his services to his Countrys
cause, enlisting as drummer in Co. F.
I'd VT. VOL, but was later transferred to
Co. G., sd VT. Vol, serving till the
close of the war and receiving an honor
able discharge. On his return i'll 1864
he purchased the farm on which he has
ever since lived, but worked at his trade
until he was about 90 years of age,
being sought from far and near for his
skilled workmanship. During the past
II years of his life he has devoted his
entire time and energies to farming,
taking great pride in improving his
farm and buildings, maintaining to the
end the maxim that ga thing worth
doing at all, is worth doing we'll"
AS a citizen, Mr.. Barnes always took
All active interest in all public affairs,
believing that every man should cast an
honorable and intelligent vote for the
public welfare. In the various offices
assigned TO him by the town of his
adoption, his duties were discharged
irtelligently and to the satisfaction of
his townsmen. In politics, he was
staunch Republican from the organiza-
ton of that party, and to the last kept
himself well informed in all political
and congressional affairs. AS an affeC-
tionate father, kind neighbOr, warm
and genial friend, he will be missed i'll
the home, in the neighborhood and i'll
the community. d.