Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1910-06-23
JAMES POLK BARNETT
DISTINGUISHED PHYSICIAN OF
BLEDSOE COUNTY DEAD.
SKETCH OF LIFE.

Pikeville, Tenn. June 18th, in his 6lst
year. On the 27th day of October,
1875, DIR. Barnett, was married to
Miss Gertrude Rankin, and to this
happy union was born five children,
all of whom are living. They are Mrs.
J. Otto Kittel, of Franklin, Tennes-
see; DR.. ]. H. Barnett, of Center
Vile, Tenn; Mrs. J. H. Robinson,
Mrs. A. B. Cranwell, and Miss Mar
garet and Miss Marion Barnett, of
Pikeville, Tenn. Doctor Barnett was
an unassuming and selfmade man and
a man of superior qualities, and a
master of his profession. He was
generous, kind-hearted man, ready to
respond to call any where to relieve
the sick or distressed. Doctor Barnett
was without means, having grown up
during the civil war. He arrived to
manhood without having sufficient ed
ucational attainments for successful
life. He keenly realized this, and be-
ing characterized by an indominatable
will, and by hard labor with his own
hands, he was enabled to obtain an ed
ucation which qualified him for teach
ing in the public school, which profess
sion he followed for while. After
which he determined to follow the pro-
fession and practice of medicine. He
at once took up the study of medicine.
and soon after his graduation from a
medical school he began as regular
practitioner in Pikeville, where he has
lived for more than 35 years. Doctor
Barnett has been very diligent in his
profession, and while he was active
and of an aggressive mould, his keen
perception and broad common sense,
steered him clear of embarrassment or
trouble with his fellow men with
whom his profession necessitated ma
nv business transactions.
He Joined the Christian Church in
his early life and has remained stead
fast and unmoyable in his profession
all the remaining years of his life, and
died triumphantly in the cause he es-
poused in his early life. His sickness
was of some duration, yet he was pa
tient, and always kind and expressed a
willingness to die. In his extreme
pain and looking toward death the
common lot of all men, he was sub
servient to the will of his great Sow
ereign Lord Could it have been 9TH
erwise he would have loved to have re-
mained with his dear family longer
He died at peace with all men and has
gone to his reward with the good will
of all who knew him. To the beloved
family and all the relatives, to the
children and his dear companion who
survive him, we extend our sincere
sympathy and coincidence
The Doctor bore his sickness with
Spartan fortitude. When disease was
upon him, when pain tortured, and
energy was feeble, he was still the
same noble man, still had the same
large unselfsh view and in very re-
markable manner showed that great
ness of faith that rises above all pow
ers of earth. He was too well known
in this community to need eulogy, for
purity and integrity he stood as a tall
tree in the forest. God bless his mem
ory, "though dead he yet speaketh. "
Many of his sayings and good advice
will be treasured up in the memory OF
his many friends he has left behind
him. May they continue to profit by
them and become wiser unto saliva
tion until they can hail him on the
other shore. May the providence
which took HIM away be sanctified to
the good of his surviving friends;
may that God who is husband to the
widow, and father to the orphan,
lead his family to joys realized only
in Christ, cur Living Head. He
leaves widow, who has proved her
self one among the most devoted, af-
fectionate and untiring companions,
who has stood by his bedside with in
tense eagerness, and with gentle and
loving hands administered to him dur
ing his prolonged sickness, of about
one years duration. She never left
him till the last flower was placed up
on his grave. His dying hours were
soothed by the gentle hands of this no
BILE woman, and who was with him to
wipe from his clammy brow the gath
ering dew of death. He also leaves six
children, one son and five daughters,
who are worthy of great praise for
their department thus far on the jour
ney of life, and for the intense love
which they manifested for their father.
But, thank God, they do not mourn as
those who have no hope. They, are
well assured that their loss is his
gain. May they all meet in heaven.
His funeral service was preached by
Rev. w. D. Dew, pastor of the South