Macoupin County
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Biography - WILLIAM T. BARNETT

William T. Barnett, one of the substantial citizens and successful farmers of Macoupin County, resides on his farm of 80 acres, situated in sections 36 and 26, in Shaw's Point township. Mr. Barnett was born in that township, and is a son of George W. and Lucinda (Nichols) Barnett, and a grandson of the late William Barnett.

William Barnett was born in Kentucky and until advanced in life made that State his home. His death took place in Shaw's Point township, after so exemplary a life as to call forth the assertion by his friends and neighbors that he had been one of the best men who ever lived. His children, who have also all passed away, were: Abner, Mrs. Delilah Nichols, George W., Mrs. Candace Grovers, Stephen B., Thaddeus C., Temple W. and William Thomas R.

George W. Barnett was born in Christian County, Kentucky, and died in Macoupin County at the age of 71 years. He came to Illinois in 1835 and settled in Shaw's Point township, Macoupin County, in 1837, becoming one of the most prominent figures in its political and public life. Although but poorly educated, his natural ability brought him success in business and a leadership in public affairs. In politics a Whig, he supported the Republican party at a later date and during the Civil War made many speeches in behalf of the government. He was elected to almost all the local offices and after the erection of the present Court House served as a member of the Board of Supervisors. Opposed to the tax imposed, he was one of 17 who resisted it and was fined $1,000 for contempt of court. Many times elected a justice of the peace, he was a stern and impartial judge, doing his whole duty to every one to the best of his ability, winning even from those who opposed him politically, the respect accorded an upright character. He took a deep interest in education and religion and was one of the founders of the Shaw's Point Christian Church. He married Lucinda Nichols, who was born in Kentucky, and they had 15 children born to them, eight of whom lived to maturity, viz: Mrs. Ulrica Cramer, deceased; George W., of Montgomery County; B. Stuart, of Shaw's Point township; William T., of this sketch; James A., a Civil War soldier, who died in a rebel prison in Texas; C. Gertrude, wife of Capt. H. T. Richardson of Carlinville; Mrs. Lucinda E. Wilson of Carlinville; and Mrs. Marcella A. Wilson, a widow, of Carlinville.

Our subject has spent his whole life in Shaw's Point township with the exception of three and a half years in Eureka, to which place he removed for a time for the better education of his children. He has followed farming and made a specialty of stock raising. The family own nearly 300 acres of land, Mr. Barnett having given his sons 208 acres, 80 acres being reserved for himself. He has filled a number of the prominent local offices in the gift of the Republican party, having been twice highway commissioner, and at present is a member of the School Board.

On September 29, 1867, Mr. Barnett was married to Elvira J. Johnson, who was born in White County, Illinois, and is a daughter of Edward W. and Sarah (Crabtree) Johnson. The two sons of this marriage who are now living are: William C, who was educated at Eureka College, married Bertha C. Wagner and is a farmer of Shaw's Point township; and Charles E., who was also educated at the above mentioned college, married Bertha E. Studebaker, has one son, Neville Everett, and lives on the homestead. Those deceased are: Thomas Edgar, Walter Floyd, Lolah Mae and Alva Leon. The religious connection of the family is with the Christian Church in which Mr. Barnett was formerly an elder. His fraternal connections have been with the Odd Fellows and the Farmers' Benefit Association of which he has been president.


Extracted 2018 May 05 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 89-91.


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