My Genealogy Hound

LAFAYETTE M. BARNARD, proprietor of the New York Bakery, which is the largest and finest store of this kind in Sedalia, was born in Greensburg, Decatur County, Ind., January 1, 1850. His father, Joseph Barnard, was born in Franklin County, that state, in the town of Brookville.

Robert Barnard, the grandfather, who was an old sea-captain, was of French descent. He left home at the age of sixteen years in order to sail upon the waters, and worked his way up to be captain of a vessel, visiting almost every country and port in the world. In 1812 he was taken prisoner by a British man-of war, and held for three years, when he made his escape. Forty years of his life were spent upon the water, and after joining his family on terra firma he located in Brookville, Ind., near which place he had purchased a large tract of land.

The father of our subject followed the life of a farmer for many years in the Hoosier State, but this he abandoned in order to engage in the hotel business, owning and operating a house at Greensburg until 1856. At that time he removed to Le Roy, Ill., where he established a bakery, and about 1860 moved to Osgood, Ind., where he followed the same business until retiring from the active labors of life. He is still a resident of that place, now in his seventy-sixth year, and is a valued member of the Christian Church. For nineteen years he held the position of Postmaster of Osgood.

Our subject’s mother, who was formerly Sallie J. Barickman, was a native of Brookville, Ind., and the daughter of Jacob Barickman, a farmer and early settler of that locality. He later removed to Napoleon, Ind., but died at Holton, that state, aged seventy-six years.

The parental family of our subject numbered five children, of whom he was the third in order of birth. Of these, M. Ellen lives in Seymour, Ind.; Oliver, who was in the gunboat service during the late war, resides at Pueblo; Sallie G. is now Mrs. Gibson, of Little Rock, Ark.; and Louisa, Mrs. Lendenhall, resides in Holton, Ind.

Lafayette M. Barnard received a good common-school education, and when seventeen years of age left home and began farming, first in Rush County, Ind. However, soon afterward he returned to Osgood, and, having learned the trade of a baker, established himself in business with his father. He remained in the bakery business until 1874, when he was made telegraph operator for the Ohio & Mississippi Road at Osgood. After leaving their employ he accepted a position with the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road at Indianapolis, remaining there until 1876, when he went to San Francisco, Cal., and was in the employ of the Government as surveyor for about three months. He then returned to St. Louis, being employed as brakeman on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Road, between East St. Louis and Mattoon, and from the latter place to Indianapolis. This position he held but three months, when he became brakeman on the Ohio & Mississippi Road.

In 1878 Mr. Barnard became brakeman on the Missouri Pacific Road, running between Sedalia and Kansas City, holding this position for six months, when he was made conductor on the passenger and freight train running between Sedalia and Kansas City, and the latter place and Joplin, Mo.; and later conductor on the regular passenger, his route lying between Kansas City and Joplin, Mo. For six years he held the latter position, most of the time having his headquarters in this city.

In 1884, however, Mr. Barnard bought out the New York Bakery, and two years later erected his present two-story and basement brick store on the corner of Fourth Street and Osage Avenue. The building is 24x70 feet in dimensions, and the oven, which is 14x16 feet, has a capacity of from twenty-five hundred to five thousand loaves of bread at one baking. There are three or four bakers constantly at work, and besides bread and rolls they bake fancy cakes, pies, cookies, etc.

Mr. Barnard was married in Cochran, Ind., in 1880, to Miss Minnie Scoble, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and who was the daughter of William Cochran. To them has been born a son, Leon W. Socially our subject is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Order of Railway Conductors. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and in politics casts a vote in favor of Republican candidates.