Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-08-26
T. VI. BARNES
PASSES AWAY
Former Mayor of This City
Died Suddenly at His Home
in Brooklyn
LEADER IN CHURCH WORK
Active Presbyterian All His
Life and Prominent Work.
er in Sunday School

Edward w. Barnes. former may
or of this city and for many years
an elder in the First Presbyterian
church here, died suddenly at his
home in Brooklyn. Wednesday night,
after an illness of two or three days.
For the past two weeks Mr.. Barnes
had been in poor health although not
seriously i'll. Wednesday night he
retired as usual at about $50 o'clock.
a half hour later he called to his
daughter Bessie, who found him very
i'll. A doctor was sent for imme-
diately, but before his arrival Mr..
Barnes had passed away. Heart
trouble or slight stroke of apop-
lexy is believed to have been the
cause of death.
Edward w. Barnes was born at
Summit Hill, Pa, February 2, 1S4S.
where he lived with his parents for
several years. Later they moved to
Rondout, N. Y. After a few years
there they moved to this city. where
about eight years old, when Tama-
Mr.. Barnes obtained his education
at the district school at Tamaqua
where he studied for several years
His father died when he was about
ten years old. Later he obtained
employment in a book store there.
After a year in that vocation he re-
turned to this city in the fall of 1864
Mr. Barnes was then in his seven
teenth year and being bright lad
obtained a position with the bank
ing firm of l. B. Kirkland-Hill &,
Company. of New York. Although
only an office boy at the start his
aptness in business methods soon
brought him promotion! He was
advanced raj idly and in spite of the
fact that the business changed
hands several times he was retain
ed. He was finally made cashier
OF the concern, which was then
known as Henry Talmage & Com
pany.
His remarkable advancement
from office boy to cashier and gem
eral bookkeeper of a large banking
firm, all in seven years, was clear
proof of his ability and in 1872 he
resigned his office to take position
as private secretary for F. H. Co.'S
slit, wealthy gentleman in New
York.
He served in that capacity until
his employers death, fifteen years
later, and on account of his integ-
rity, was retained by Mr.. Cossitts
children and grandchildren to re-
main in charge of the estate and
look after their interests.
In 1880 Mr.. Barnes was united in
marriage with Miss Idelette l.. Hall.
of Metuchen. Miss Hall came here
in 1875 to play the organ in the
PRESBYTERIAN church and while IN
that capacity met Mr.. Barnes, who
was the leader of the choir at that
time.
Being of a genial nature, Mr..
Barnes was not long in gaining re-
spect in this city as public spirited
citizen. His friends rapidly increased
in number and in the fall of 1891 he
was elected on the Republican ticket
as a school commissioner from the
second ward.
He served three years and during
the latter part of his term was elect
ed president of the body. His record
while in the Board of Education
made him very popular and in 1884
he was offered the nomination for
by a large majority.
In the capacity of the city's chief
magistrate Mr.. Barnes worked untir-
ingly and although he proclaimed
himself as an independent Republi-
can, he served only the city's inter-
eSts.
AS mayor, Mr.. Barnes worked hard
to have Railroad avenue. now known
as upper State street, opened, bu'
was unsuccessful at that time on ac-
count of considerable opposition
from the Merediths.
Mr.. Barnes was an elder in the
First Presbyterian church here from
1871 until 1908 and superintendent
of the Sunday school from 1873 un'
til he left here. Ee was clerk of the
session for twenty EIGHT years.
Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes formerly
lived at 2SS High street, now occu-
pied by the Knights of Columbus.
In 1908 when Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes
moved to Brooklyn they became as
ISOLATED with DR.. MacAffee's church
| They have been active in church anc
| Sunday school work there for tho
last thirteen years.
Mr., Barnes is survived by his wife
and five children, Miss Bessie Barnes
who lived at home with her parents
Walter and Gerald Barnes, who are
| in Oregon; Homer, who is in Califor
mia, and Winfred, who, with his wife
| is on his way east. His eldest son
Harold, died suddenly in Asiati'
Turkey about fifteen years ago as th'
| result of kick by a horse.
Mr.. Barnes influence was felt al
over this city during the time he wal
| here. After his departure to Brook
| lyn he did not lose interest in thi'
| city, but was frequent visitor here
and is loved and remembered by {
wide circle of friends. He worked
| quietly and unobtrusively and man,
| of his thoughtful and kindly acts arr
| just coming to light. He gave th'
reading room in the Y. NJ. c. A. il
memory of his son Harold. Througl
his influence the organ in the Firs
| Presbyterian church was installed.