My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

WASHINGTON BARNES, Superintendent Knoop Children’s Home, Troy; born in Adrian, Mich., April 5, 1835, is a son of Saley Seymour and Louisa Barnes, natives of New England, the ancestry being of English descent. S. S. Barnes and wife located in Adrian, Mich., about 1833, and there followed his trade that of a carpenter, at which he continued to work throughout his life; in about 1840, removed to Cincinnati, where he remained till his death, which occurred in 1852, his wife surviving him till 1863; they were parents of four children, three now surviving, viz., Louisa (now Mrs. Hart), Helen M. (now Mrs. George Clyde) and Washington. Mr. Barnes resided with his father till his death, being then 17 years of age, and soon after went to Xenia, Ohio, as an apprentice in the carriage manufacturing business; after becoming proficient in this trade, he continued to work at it until March 1, 1879, when he received his appointment and took charge of the “Knoop Children’s Home,” as its Superintendent, which position he has since held; and we can say that to all appearance, the institution which has just been founded, and is, as it were, in its infancy, is being well managed, and will doubtless, in a reasonable time become established upon a basis and a perfection that will ensure its success, and enable it to fulfill the object of its establishment, to the credit of its founder, its Superintendent, and all who have a controlling power over its welfare. On April 7, 1856, Mr. Barnes married Miss Martha Jane, daughter of James and Sarah Ann Jolly, natives of Ohio, who were parents of two children—Simeon and Martha Jane; also by a second wife there are three children, viz., Mellie (now Mrs. Hammer, living in Fayette Co., Ohio), John and Sallie (now Mrs. West, of Casstown).

* * * *

This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.