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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