Page 08 Barnesville 1908 Centennial book
In 1908, the receipts of the Post Office attained the figures necessary to authorize “Free Delivery,” and at this time arrangements are being made for the early consummation of the system.
Municipalities as well as men have and maintain their individual characteristics. One of the most prominent characteristics of Barnesville’s history has been the continual warfare between the saloon and its opponents. In 1836 a Temperance organization was formed, based upon a pledge offered by the Hon. John Davenport, adopted by the meeting and subsequently signed by nearly every adult citizen. In 1842 the Washingtonian Reform swept the country, and so completely did it master this community that not a drop of intoxicating liquors could be bought in the town until 1852, when the railroad brought a deluge of intoxicants. In 1847 the Sons of Temperance organization was instituted, and so large was its membership that two divisions had to be formed, which together held undisputed control of the town and adjacent territory, until the influence of the railroad construction over-mastered them. From 1852 to 1874 many efforts were made and organizations formed in behalf of temperance. In 1874 came the marvelous Woman’s Crusade with something of the weirdness and with all the fervor of the Crusades of the Middle Ages, yet sanctified with the glory and sweetness of American Womanhood. Since then, twice the Council adopted Prohibition Ordinances and twice repealed them. Finally under the Beal Law, twice the town voted dry, and after one of the most dramatic and noted struggles in the municipal history of Ohio, it became and remains dry.
This is not a history, but is a short sketch, written to fit a limited space in this book. To one writing like this, the desire springs in his breast above everything else to name and pay tribute to the active minds that have built Barnesville and made her history, but the opportunity cannot be here given. Read, however, between the lines, and you have a hundred years of the struggles, and aspirations, the triumphs, the failures, the joy and the heart ache of men and women, who have lived and done a noble part in the great drama of human life. In her mercantile history are written many names of nobility and integrity. In her professional life are names men have delighted to honor. In her factories employers and employees have been men of high character and intelligence. Her social life has been dignified and honorable. Her schools have given golden opportunities of education to the American boy and girl. The history of her churches is a story of noble architecture, eloquent orators, and devoted followers of the Master. And now, out of the great hour of the celebration of the Century of her existence will come a closer friendship of her citizens, a loftier patriotism, and an unalterable resolve, come what reverses may, to keep step with the music of progress, and to march on to a still greater and more beautiful Barnesville.
JAMES BARNES.
JAMES BARNES, the founder of Barnesville, was a native of Montgomery County, Maryland, where he was born in the year 1772. The historian says that at man’s estate he owned a farm in Montgomery County, upon which he later laid out a town which still exists, and is known as Barnesville, Md., where he operated a country store for a time.
He removed to Ohio, settling at St. Clairsville, in 1803, where he conducted a tavern and general store for a few years. In 1806 he entered the lands then almost an unbroken wilderness, in Warren Township, Belmont County, upon which the splendid and thriving town of Barnesville now stands, as a credit to his pioneer forethought and perseverance.
He cleared away the forests, built a house here and there, established a tannery, a general store, planted orchards, etc.
In November, 1808, the town of Barnesville was laid out, and four years later Mr. Barnes and his family became permanent residents of the then embryo village.
Once settled here, he went to work promoting and developing various enterprises that tended to make the village grow and flourish. He engaged largely in the ginseng business, built a flouring mill and woolen factory, and various other industries. About 1823, the leaf tobacco business having assumed much importance, Mr. Barnes became a large handler of the product, buying large quantities of it, which he packed and sent to the Baltimore market. From the time of his settling in Barnesville, the name of Mr. Barnes was at the head of every movement tending to the development and progress of Barnesville, and that he should have met with many reverses and losses, which left him in straightened circumstances in his later life, was a natural result to a man who ventured so much, that was impelled by his indomitable energy and perseverance.
With the hope of retrieving his lost wealth and property, he went to Baltimore in 1844 to arrange for starting a tobacco commission house in that city. With his mission an apparent success, on his return home by stage, he fell dead, just as he stepped from the stage at Three Crossings, not far from Uniontown, Penna., and in that locality today rests the ashes of the founder of Barnesville, his grave being unknown and unmarked.
No portrait or picture of James Barnes is known to exist. The historian, however, pictures him as a man of commanding presence, being over six feet tall and of portly build. In religious views he was a Quaker, wore the broadbrimmed hat and drab clothes of the regulation kind. By nature he is said to have been a man of remarkable kindness and generous to a fault. He was one to whom all looked for advice, or came when in need, and none worthy
Page 08 Barnesville 1908 Centennial book
In 1908, the receipts of the Post Office attained the figures necessary to authorize “Free Delivery,” and at this time arrangements are being made for the early consummation of the system.
Municipalities as well as men have and maintain their individual characteristics. One of the most prominent characteristics of Barnesville’s history has been the continual warfare between the saloon and its opponents. In 1836 a Temperance organization was formed, based upon a pledge offered by the Hon. John Davenport, adopted by the meeting and subsequently signed by nearly every adult citizen. In 1842 the Washingtonian Reform swept the country, and so completely did it master this community that not a drop of intoxicating liquors could be bought in the town until 1852, when the railroad brought a deluge of intoxicants. In 1847 the Sons of Temperance organization was instituted, and so large was its membership that two divisions had to be formed, which together held undisputed control of the town and adjacent territory, until the influence of the railroad construction over-mastered them. From 1852 to 1874 many efforts were made and organizations formed in behalf of temperance. In 1874 came the marvelous Woman’s Crusade with something of the weirdness and with all the fervor of the Crusades of the Middle Ages, yet sanctified with the glory and sweetness of American Womanhood. Since then, twice the Council adopted Prohibition Ordinances and twice repealed them. Finally under the Beal Law, twice the town voted dry, and after one of the most dramatic and noted struggles in the municipal history of Ohio, it became and remains dry.
This is not a history, but is a short sketch, written to fit a limited space in this book. To one writing like this, the desire springs in his breast above everything else to name and pay tribute to the active minds that have built Barnesville and made her history, but the opportunity cannot be here given. Read, however, between the lines, and you have a hundred years of the struggles, and aspirations, the triumphs, the failures, the joy and the heart ache of men and women, who have lived and done a noble part in the great drama of human life. In her mercantile history are written many names of nobility and integrity. In her professional life are names men have delighted to honor. In her factories employers and employees have been men of high character and intelligence. Her social life has been dignified and honorable. Her schools have given golden opportunities of education to the American boy and girl. The history of her churches is a story of noble architecture, eloquent orators, and devoted followers of the Master. And now, out of the great hour of the celebration of the Century of her existence will come a closer friendship of her citizens, a loftier patriotism, and an unalterable resolve, come what reverses may, to keep step with the music of progress, and to march on to a still greater and more beautiful Barnesville.
JAMES BARNES.
JAMES BARNES, the founder of Barnesville, was a native of Montgomery County, Maryland, where he was born in the year 1772. The historian says that at man’s estate he owned a farm in Montgomery County, upon which he later laid out a town which still exists, and is known as Barnesville, Md., where he operated a country store for a time.
He removed to Ohio, settling at St. Clairsville, in 1803, where he conducted a tavern and general store for a few years. In 1806 he entered the lands then almost an unbroken wilderness, in Warren Township, Belmont County, upon which the splendid and thriving town of Barnesville now stands, as a credit to his pioneer forethought and perseverance.
He cleared away the forests, built a house here and there, established a tannery, a general store, planted orchards, etc.
In November, 1808, the town of Barnesville was laid out, and four years later Mr. Barnes and his family became permanent residents of the then embryo village.
Once settled here, he went to work promoting and developing various enterprises that tended to make the village grow and flourish. He engaged largely in the ginseng business, built a flouring mill and woolen factory, and various other industries. About 1823, the leaf tobacco business having assumed much importance, Mr. Barnes became a large handler of the product, buying large quantities of it, which he packed and sent to the Baltimore market. From the time of his settling in Barnesville, the name of Mr. Barnes was at the head of every movement tending to the development and progress of Barnesville, and that he should have met with many reverses and losses, which left him in straightened circumstances in his later life, was a natural result to a man who ventured so much, that was impelled by his indomitable energy and perseverance.
With the hope of retrieving his lost wealth and property, he went to Baltimore in 1844 to arrange for starting a tobacco commission house in that city. With his mission an apparent success, on his return home by stage, he fell dead, just as he stepped from the stage at Three Crossings, not far from Uniontown, Penna., and in that locality today rests the ashes of the founder of Barnesville, his grave being unknown and unmarked.
No portrait or picture of James Barnes is known to exist. The historian, however, pictures him as a man of commanding presence, being over six feet tall and of portly build. In religious views he was a Quaker, wore the broadbrimmed hat and drab clothes of the regulation kind. By nature he is said to have been a man of remarkable kindness and generous to a fault. He was one to whom all looked for advice, or came when in need, and none worthy