My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM BARNARD. It is impossible in a brief biographical sketch to render full justice to prominent men, and yet there are some who are so intimately and clearly identified with the county’s welfare, and whose names are so familiar to all, that it is only right to dwell upon what they have done and the influence of their career upon others. To this class belongs William Barnard, one of the capable business men of Chester, who is carrying on an extensive business as a coal merchant.

Our subject’s birth occurred August 22, 1847, in Muskingum County, Ohio. He is of English descent, his paternal grandfather having been born in England, whence he emigrated to the United States and settled in West Virginia. In Wheeling, that state, John Barnard, our subject’s father, was born and thence he removed westward. He married Miss Rebecca Rupp, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and a daughter of Emanuel Rupp. This worthy couple are still living and at present make their home in Muscatine, Iowa. The father is a farmer and fruit-grower by occupation, and is a man of energetic disposition and upright character.

William Barnard was the eldest in the parental family of six children. He was a lad of seven years at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa. He received an excellent education, first attending the district school, and later the high school at Muscatine. When reaching his twentieth year he left home, and going to Bellaire, Ohio, commenced to work for his uncle, William G. Barnard, who was an extensive coal merchant in that city. He remained thus engaged for eleven years, and in 1879 made his advent into Chester, having been sent here to take charge of the business of his uncle, with whose interests he was identified until 1892. In the fall of that year he purchased the business in this place formerly conducted by his uncle, and formed a partnership with William Goaldy, the firm being known as Barnard & Goaldy. Here Mr. Barnard is doing a good business and conducting himself in such a manner as to win the respect of his fellow-men.

August 27, 1868, Mr. Barnard married Miss Amerett McCloud, and to them have been born four children, who bear the respective names of Delia, Clarence, Phebe and Clyde. Mrs. Amerett Barnard departed this life in June, 1885, and in 1886 our subject married Mrs. Eliza J. Patterson. She was born in Perry County, this state, and at the time of her marriage to our subject was the widow of John Patterson. By this union Mr. Barnard has become the father of one child, Lillie May. He is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, in which denomination he has held the office of Elder. He is a Republican in politics, being in full accord with the principles of his party and exerting all his influence for its success. In 1892, he was elected Alderman of the Second Ward, and during his incumbency of the office gave entire satisfaction to his constituents.