My Genealogy Hound

W. F. Barnes, undertaker and furniture dealer, of Corning, Ark., has been in business here since August, 1888, when he purchased his stock of goods of Mr. Bishop and continued at that stand until June 1, 1889, when he moved to his present location. His establishment is a two-story frame building, 40x20 feet, now under process of erection, which will, when finished, be commodious and substantial. Mr. Barnes’ success in this line has been due to his energy and enterprise, and his establishment is now one of the leading concerns of this kind in the county. He was born in Lawrence County, Ill., in 1856, and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to John and Jane (Thompson) Barnes, who were Kentuckians by birth, but emigrated to Illinois in their youth, where they grew to maturity and met and married. The father settled with his parents in Lawrence County in 1826, and afterward became a successful farmer and teacher of that region, following these occupations for many years in that State. He died in 1885, but his widow is still residing in Illinois. The paternal grandfather was an early settler of Illinois, where he also makes his home. Mr. Barnes was early inured to the duties of farm life, and during his youth also attended the common schools of Lawrence and Wabash Counties, Ill. He engaged in farming for himself in that State and was married there in 1882 to Miss Ella P. Price, a native of that county. Her parents, Joseph and Hannah (Dart) Price, were born in Ohio and Kentucky, respectively, and are now residing in Illinois. In 1887 Mr. Barnes came to Corning, Ark., and until 1888 worked at the carpenter’s trade, but has since been engaged in his present business. Politically he is a Democrat, and always supports the principles of that party. He belongs to the K. of H. and the I. O. G. T., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Church. They are the parents of two children: Opal V. and Verna D. Mr. Barnes has done well financially, is the owner of some valuable town property, and predicts a bright future for Corning.