I like to get to know an ancestor, so, after I learn their vital information (birth, marriages, death) and census information for each of the censuses they were alive, I like to see if I can find any newspaper articles about the ancestor. Census records and vital records provide the context of a person’s life, but newspaper articles give the texture to understand a person’s life.
In the case of my father’s mother’s father, great grandfather Joel Clinton Barnes, I was astounded by what I found on Newspaper Archives via my Find My Past subscription. I knew that Joel was born in Sullivan County, Indiana. He showed up in Sullivan County during every census and died in Sullivan County. So, I added a filter to give display newspapers from Sullivan, Indiana, and I sorted the records by date. There were 340 records returned. I initially thought that there had to be many false positive returns, but I later learned I was wrong. Almost every record returned related to my Joel Barnes.
1899 plat map showing the J. C. Barnes farm. From An Illustrated Standard Atlas of Sullivan County, Wilson, Fuller & Company Source: Indiana Memory Digital Collection
Sure, some of the newspaper articles returned had little meaning or value, such as, “Joel Barnes and family were in Sullivan visiting family this week.” And some were the posting of the same article, once in the Sullivan Daily Times and again in the Sullivan Democrat. But there were so many gems of information that I feel I know so much more about Joel and his family. For example, I learned that he was born, lived his entire life, and died in the same house. The spelling of his sisters’ names, Plautine and Tryphenia were provided in a public notice by a lawyer. (Lawyers are always right in court documents, aren’t they? In any event, the lawyers spelling will be my preferred spelling until I find another record in their own hand.) I learned that Joel was, for a while, a constable in Turman Township, which gives insight into his character. He also ran for office as Assessor in Turman Township and served on the local petit jury, “Brother Joel” was heavily involved in his church, Methodist Episcopal, teaching Sunday school, being a leader there, and hosting prayer meetings at his home. He hauled logs for the building of the new church, graded the lawn, and helped build the cement stairs for the front of the church. He was also involved with the Masons and with Eastern Star.
His health came and went with bouts of “malarial fever.”
His farm was more than corn and hay. He was in the maple sap business, had sheep and sold their wool. He had chickens and sold lambs in town. He sold wood to the sawmill and had cattle
In 1913, farm life changed significantly for Joel and family when oil was discovered on his farm. His well, drilled by Ohio Oil Co., was the first in his area.
His daughter, my grandmother, Essie had a surprise fifteenth birthday party.
His son, Raye, served in World War I and wrote home. And finally, Joel died in his own bed. He was discovered when he didn’t come downstairs for breakfast. His obituary drives home the fact that five of his ten children preceded him in death. His was a farmer’s life filled with church, community, and, most of all, family.
I have a transcript of some of these articles here.
Biography – Joel Clinton Barnes (1967-1921)
Joel Clinton Barnes Cropped from photo Courtesy: Ken Smith
Joel Clinton Barnes was born on 23 June 1857 in Graysville, Sullivan Co., Indiana[1]. He was the seventh of ten children, by Nelson Barnes (1816-1884), aged 41, and Mercy Eliza Taft, aka Eliza (~ 1822-1884). All ten of their children lived into the 20th century. He died on 30 June 1921 in Graysville, Sullivan Co., Indiana, aged 64[2]. He is buried at Drake Cemetery, in Fairbanks Sullivan County Indiana, at the age of 63[3].
The six older siblings include:
Tryphenia Ann Barnes, born in 1841.
Plautina Mariah Barnes, born in 1844.
Theodore E Barnes, born in 1847.
Suzie Barnes, born in 1849.
Abraham Barnes, born in 1852.
Cyrus John Barnes, born in 1854.
His two younger siblings include:
Lucy Minerus Barnes, born in 1860.
Martha Ellen Barns, born in 1863.
He married Sarah Josephine Conner, aka Josie, daughter of Soloman Conner and Harriet Crapo on 25 December 1876 in Sullivan[4]. Joel was 19 and Josie was 22. Their marriage lasted 15 years, until Sarah’s death in 1892.
The children of Joel and Sarah were:
Flora Barnes, born on 18 September 1878 in Sullivan township, died in 1950, aged 71. She married Harlon Riggs on 23 December 1895. She had at least two children that were twins.
Flava Barnes, born on 13 May 1881 in Sullivan, died on 22 July 1882, aged 14.
Alma Barnes, aka Anna, born on 20 October 1882 in Graysville, died in 1968, aged 85. She married Charles Sylvester Harris on 19 December 1912.
William Barnes, born on 12 February 1886 in Sullivan, died on 4 November 1886 in Sullivan (Indiana), aged 8.
Orphie Barnes, born on 26 October 1888, died on 21 July 1889, aged 8.
He next married Marada A. Lister, aka Marady, May, Morady Maranda (1867-1932), the daughter of Nimrod Lister and Malinda Evans, on 18 June 1893 in Sullivan[5]. Joel was 35 and Marada was 26. Their marriage lasted until Joel’s death 28 years later.
The children of Joel and Marada were:
Raye Barnes, aka Ray, born on 2 May 1895 in Graysville, died in 1956, aged 60. He married Columbia Means in 1920.
Ada Barnes, born on 21 March 1898 in Sullivan Township, died on 19 December 1899 in Sullivan Township, aged 21.
Nelson Barnes, born on 14 April 1901, died on 22 November 1902, aged seven months.
Essie Pansy Barnes, born on 15 March 1903 in Graysville, Truman Township, Sullivan Co., died on 20 November 1982 in Mount Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan, aged 79. She married Bert Allen Roberts on 13 May 1922. She had five children: Pansy, Bert, Hugh, Helen, and John.
Mabel Bessie Barnes, born on 5 April 1906 in Sullivan County, died on 26 August 1984, aged 78. She married Herbert Burton on 18 October 1928. She had one child: Billy.
Censuses
In the 1860 Census, three-year-old Joel is living with his father, mother, three brothers, and two sisters. His two oldest sisters, Tryphenia and Plautina, were already gone from the family farm in Turman Township, Sullivan County, Indiana[6]. By the 1870 Census, two more siblings, Theodore and Suzie, had moved out of the household, leaving Abraham, Cyrus, Joel, Lucy, and Martha still in the household. Fourteen Joel is both working as a farm hand and is attending school as are his older brothers[7].
The 1880 Census finds Joel and Josephine living near his father, Nelson Barnes, with their 1-year-old daughter, Flora. Joel is farming and Josephine is keeping house.[8]
In 1892 Josie died; in 1893 Joel married Marada Lister. The 1900 census finds Joel and Marady living with three of Joel’s children, Alma, John A, and Ray. Flora had married and moved out by then. Flava, William, and Orphie had all died during the 1880s.[9]
In 1910, Joel and Maraday were living with daughter Anna, Son Ray, and daughter Mabel. John A. Lister is living with them and is identified as Joel’s stepson.[10] (He was listed as Joel’s son in the 1900 census.)
In the 1920 Census the family is down to Joel, his wife Marada, and children, Raye, Essie, and Mable Bessie.[11]
The Joel Barnes Farm area from the air today Courtesy: Google Maps
Joel died at home on 30 June 1921. He was buried at Drake Cemetery, Fairbanks, Sullivan County, Indiana with Masonic honors.
Obituary – July 6, 1921 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, Front Page
WELL KNOWN FARMER FOUND DEAD IN BED
Joel C. Barnes, 64, of Turman Twp.,
Succumbs to Attack of Heart Failure
Marker: Joel C. Barnes (1857 – 1921) with Masonic Symbol. Source: Find a Grave Memorial # 37229130
Joel C. Barnes, 64 years old, a native of the county and a life-long resident of Turman township, was found dead in his bed early Thursday morning by his family, who had called him for breakfast and receiving no response discovered his lifeless body in bed.
The funeral was held Friday afternoon at the Dodds Bridge M. E. church, of which the deceased was a member, and was conducted by Rev. L. L. Johnson, pastor of the Methodist church at Graysville, and the Masonic lodge of Fairbanks, of which the deceased was a member. The widow survives, together with one son, Ray Barnes of Sullivan, and four daughters, Mrs. Harlan Riggs of Fairbanks, Mrs. Chas. Harris of near Dodds Bridge, and misses Essie and Mabel Barnes, who live at home.
Joel C. was a son of Nelson and Mercy (Taft) Barnes who came to this county from New York state during the forties. He was born and reared in Turman township and had always followed the vocation of a farmer. In 1876 he was married to Josephine Conner who died in 1892. Five children were born to this union, two survive, Mrs. Charles Harris and Mrs. Harlan Riggs. In 1893 Mr. Barnes was married to Maranda Lester, five children being born to this union, three surviving, Ray Barnes and Misses Essie and Mabel Barnes.
Mr. Barnes was a Democrat in his political affiliation and was an active member of the Masonic lodge and the Eastern Star lodge at Fairbanks.
List of Greats
1. Joel Clinton Barnes (1857-1921)
2. Nelson Barns (1916-1884)
ENDNOTES
[1] Sources: Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 / Bert Allen Roberts – Essie Pansy Barnes – Marriage License – Family Search (Other) – 1920 Census / Indiana, Sullivan, Turman, District 0270, Sheet 1B – Ancestry.Com (Digitizing) – 1910 Census / Indiana, Sullivan, Turman, District 178, Page 8A – Joel C Barnes – Ancestry.Com (Digitizing) – 1900 Census / Indiana, Sullivan, Turman, ED 138, Sheet 7B – Joel C Barnes – Ancestry (Digitizing) – Find-a-Grave / Joel C. Barnes – Memorial #37229130 – Find a Grave (Internet) – 1860 Census / Nelson Barnes – Indiana, Sullivan, Turman Twp – Family Search (Digitizing)
[2] Sources: Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 / Bert Allen Roberts – Essie Pansy Barnes – Marriage License – Family Search (Other) – 1930 Census / Indiana, Vigo, Terre Haute, Page 9A – Bert A Roberts – Ancestry (Other) – My Heritage Family Trees / Joel Clinton Barnes – MyHeritage.com (Internet) – Find-a-Grave / Joel C. Barnes – Memorial #37229130 – Find a Grave (Internet)
[4] Sources: A history of Sullivan County, Indiana, closing of the first century’s history of the county, and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth. New York: The Lewis Pub. Co. / Pages 234-236 (Other) – Find-a-Grave / Joel C. Barnes – Memorial #37229130 – Find a Grave (Internet) – Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007 / Joel C. Barnes – Josie Conner – Family Search (Other)
[5] Note: Married 16 years in 1910 Census. Marriage #1 for Marada, Marriage #2 for Joel. The Indiana Marriage Index Bonds indicates 17 June 1883.
[6] Source: 1860 Census / Nelson Barnes – Indiana, Sullivan, Turman Twp – Family Search (Digitizing)
[7] Source: 1870 Census / Nelson Barnes – Indiana, Sullivan, Turman Twp, Page 27, Lines 25-31 – Family Search (Digitizing)
December 12, 1884 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Public Notice – Nelson Barnes Property to be sold. See: Sullivan Democrat December 12, 1884 – NA-FMP – Crop.png for details. Same notice also ran on December 19th and December 26th. Of particular interest is the spelling of Plautina and Tryphenia and that the marriages for Lucy, Martha, Plautina, and Tryphenia all occurred before 12 Dec 1884.
December 25, 1886 – Sullivan Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. Joel C. Barnes has resigned as constable of Turman Township.
July 23, 1889 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Clint Phillips and Joel Barnes, of Turman township, each buried an infant child last week.
January 7, 1890 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Announced himself as candidate for Assessor of Turman Township, subject to the primary election. Notice also ran January 14th, January 17th, January 21st, January 24th, and January 28th, January 31st, and February 4th.
June 14, 1892 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – An advertisement indicated that Joel C. Barnes had a 1250 pound binder made by Milwaukee Steel Junior. Ad also ran on June 21st and
June 9, 1893 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel C Barnes purchased e ½ NE Section 5, T 8. R 10 for $675 from John Pittman.
September 15, 1893 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barns, pt e ½ ne sec 5, t8, r10 from Rebecca Drake.
May 15, 1896 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel C. Barnes transferred a tract in Turman to Flora Riggs $400.
April 30, 1897 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Joel Barnes brought a suit for James Trueblood to quiet title.
October 8, 1897 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Joel Barnes attended the wedding of Mr. B. A. Dix and Miss Emma Graves.
March 8, 1900 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Real Estate – Emma Dix to Joel C Barnes 8 acres in Turman tp, $280.
January 1, 1902 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, – Mrs. Malinda Lister is very sick at her daughter’s, Mrs. Joel Barnes, near Fairbanks.
April 3, 1902 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel C. Barns, of Turman township, was in town today for the first time in several weeks. He has had a serious spell of sickness with malarial fever, but is recovering his strength rapidly.
April 9, 1902 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes has recovered from his spell of sickness.
March 10, 1904 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Petit Juries for March Term – The Men Who Will Make up the Panels for the Coming Court Session. – Joel C Barnes, Turman tp.
April 27, 1904 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, – Circuit Allowances – Joel C. Barnes Petit Jury $25.00
September 29, 1904 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes and family attended the funeral of Bob Conner’s little boy Saturday.
November 3, 1904 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Frances Conner called on his brother-in law, Joel C. Barnes, Sunday. [This relationship is not understood.]
March 29, 1905 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, – Joel C. Barnes, of Fairbanks township, made the Union [Newspaper] a call Friday. Mr. Barnes is now 48 years of age and still resides in the house that he was born in. He states that he has not been out of Sullivan county only a few times during his lifetime.
January 24, 1907 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. Joel Barnes pronounces the complaint rheumatism.
February 21, 1907 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Joel C. Barnes of Dodd’s bridge was in the city Monday to get an outfit which he had ordered for making maple sugar. Mr. Barnes is the owner of 400 fine sugar trees and is in the sugar and molasses business quite extensively. He says that the sugar is running in great shape.
March 5, 1907 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana, – Mr. Joel Barnes is in the maple sap business, wholesale this year. Joel is an old hand at the business and is manufacturing some excellent syrup without any brown sugar.
April 24, 1907 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, – Joel Barnes and Charles Harris are hauling logs for the new church.
May 22, 1907 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes has purchased a new corn planter.
May 23, 1907 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes is shearing many sheep this season.
July 16, 1907 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. Joel Barnes took a load of fine lambs to the Sullivan market last week.
January 16, 1908 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes has embarked in the lumber business. Quite a number of logs can be seen at Francis’ Mill belonging to Mr. Barnes ready for the mill.
January 22, 1908 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana – Conferred the Degrees – Graysville, Jan. 18. – The Fairbanks Star No. 321 visited Graysville Chapter this afternoon and conferred the mysteries of the order upon Mr. and Mrs. William Benefield.
Those that attended were…. Mr. and Mrs. Joel Barnes and daughter. After the work was conferred the Graysville chapter prepared a banquet in honor of the visiting members.
May 14, 1908 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana, – Bro. Joel Barnes attended prayer meeting at our church last Thursday night.
August 21, 1909 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – WOMEN PULL HAIR ONE IS ARRESTED – Interesting Scene is Enacted at Dodds Bridge Church Last Sunday
Constable John Watson Saturday just before noon arrested Mrs. Clint Riggs of near Dodds Bridge for assault and batter on Mrs. Joel Barnes. Mrs Riggs promised to come to Sullivan Monday and attend to the matter. Both are prominent, being the wives of well to do farmers in the northwest part of the county.
The assault is alleged to have occurred just as Sunday school adjourned last Sunday and the affair caused quite a sensation in the Neighborhood. Mrs. Riggs is said to have thrown Mrs. Barnes down as she stepped from the church and to have administered a pretty good hair pullinb [sic] before those standing near by separated the two fighting females.
Mrs. Riggs justifies her action by saying that Mrs. Barnes had been telling over the neighborhood that she, (Mrs. Riggs) stole chickens from the Barnes hen roost. Mrs. Barnes denies having told stories of this nature.
Should the case come to trial in the Justice’s court pretty interesting session is looked for.
[Question: Is Mrs. Clint Riggs the mother-in-law of Flora Barnes Riggs and mother of Harlon Riggs? (Also note, Mrs. Joel Barnes (Marada) is Flora’s step-mother and would be about 42-years-old.]
September 16, 1909 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. Joel Barnes and family went to the Webb graveyard to attend to Mrs. Barnes’ parents’ grave last Friday.
August 11, 1910 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Mrs. Joel Barnes and daughters, Alma, Essie and Mabel spent Thursday visiting Mrs. Barnes’ grandsons, the Riggs twins.
[Flora Barnes Riggs had twins.]
February 23, 1911 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel C. Barnes has sold 72 acres of land known as the Prairie farm to a Mr. Alexander of Paris, Ill. Mr. Alexander has also purchased the Ladd place which contains 402 acres and the Charles Boles farm of 120 acres.
March 6, 1911 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – TRANSFERS – Joel C. Barnes to Warner S. Alexander, Land in Fairbanks, $2920.
March 9, 1911 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Tuesday Feb. 27th being the 44th birthday of Mrs. Joel Barnes a large number of her neighbors and friends gathered in to remind her of it. The surprise was complete. At noon 45 guests sat down to such a dinner as the good housewives of that vicinity now how to prepare. The remainder of the day was spent in conversation and singing. And a very touching prayer by Bro. Jas Dodd after which all returned to their homes wishing Mrs. Barnes many a happy return of the day.
….
Mrs. Triphena Mayfield of Beech Grove visited her brother Joel C. Barnes and family Thursday and Friday.
[Note the Sullivan Daily Times reported it was her 43rd birthday. However, it was actually her 44th as reported correctly by the Democrat.]
June 15, 1911 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes has purchased a new carriage.
July 21, 1911 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Those who attended the conference at Merom were Mr. and Mrs. Joel Barnes and daughters, Alma, Essie and Mabel and Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brown and daughter Hazel, Mr….
November 8, 1911 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel Barnes an Charles Harris have been hauling gravel on the Kentucky road.
November 9, 1911 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – The appearance of the church was greatly improved last week by grading the lawn and making some concrete steps. Those that assisted in the work were Chas. Boles,… Joel C. Barnes ….
December 26, 1912 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana –
WEDDING SURPRISES FRIENDS
Miss Alma Barnes and Charles Harris Wed Quietly
The marriage of Miss Alma Barnes and Mr. Charles Harris of Dodd’s Bridge Thursday, December 19 was a surprise to their many friends. The young couple went to Sullivan where the ceremony was performed.
The Bride is the accomplished daughter of Joel C. Barnes and Mr. Harris is the second son of Mrs. Ann Harris of Sullivan and a prosperous young farmer in this vicinity. They will be at home to their many friends ad his country home after January 7, 1913. We wish them much happeniess.
[Note: Strange phraseology for Charles Harris’ paternity.]
March 13, 1913 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – DODD BRIDGE – The coal drill which was drilling a test hole on Joel C. Barnes’ place completed their work last week and moved the machinery to Sullivan. Good quality of coal was found and also deep veins. The farmers are all anxiously awaiting for their money.
November 24, 1913 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – TWO GOOD WELLS ARE BROUGHT IN – Kennedy and Ohio Oil Companies Find Couple Of Producers.
….
The Ohio Oil Company has made a location on the Joel Barnes farm just a short distance north of Dobbs Bridge in Fairbanks township.
….
December 17, 1913 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana – The Ohio Oil Company Sunday hit a fine producer on the Joel Barnes land near Dodd’s bridge and parties from West Yorkm, Ill. Struk a good producer on the Cushman Farm. Northwest of Graysville. These two finds have caused great excitement in the west part of the county.
December 18, 1913 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana –
CROWD GOES TO SEE WELL SHOT
Joel Barnes Farm In Turman Township Center of Attraction Today.
The well on the Joel Barnes farm in Turman township was drilled in Wednesday,, and will be shot this afternoon. This well is one half mile north of Dodds bridge and is in an entirely new territory, A large number of Sullivan people have gone out to see this well shot.
…
December 24, 1913 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana – …. The fact that a producing oil well was struck last week on the farm of Joel Barnes in Fairbanks township caused considerable excitement in the west part of the county. The well was first reported as a regular gusher but is now producing twenty barrels per day. The….
July 1, 1914 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Barnes and daughters Essie and Mabel and Mrs. Alma Harris went to Shelburn Sunday to be present at the arrival of the body of their nephew, who died in Honolulu in May.
[Note: need to determine who this may have been.]
Barnes Family in motor car.
c. 1915-1916
August 2, 1916 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Barnes and family motored to Bicknell Saturday to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lister and daughter, Francis.
[Note: This is the first mention of the Barnes family “Motoring” and probably relates to the photo of the family in the automobile.]
August 31, 1916 – Sullivan Democrat – Sullivan, Indiana – Mrs. Mary Crooks, of Sullivan, is visiting her sister, Mrs Joel C. Barnes and recuperating from an attack of hay fever.
March 19, 1918 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – A delightful surprise party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Barnes, in honor of their fifteenth birthday of their daughter, Miss Essie, and also the birthday of Ray Butler, of near Shelburn. Those in attendance were…
October 25, 1918 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana:
LETTER FROM RAY BARNES
Joel C. Barnes has received the following letter from his son, Ray Barnes:
Co. E, 309th Amm. Train.
84th Div., A. E. F.
Dear Folks:
Am O. K, and hope this will find you people the same. We are on the water now, so you know that I am happy. We are certainly having find weather.
How are the girls getting along in school, and how do they like to be hauled to school? I bet it makes them get up pretty early to get started. Has the Jewell boy got back yet? I heard they were going to send him home. I saw Sam Holt, who used to be at Graysville, at the last camp where I was, and also Jesse Lowery and the Shelburn boys. They sure look like real soldier now. I suppose all of the meons are gone by now. Are are the crops this year? Have they jeard from Oral and Buck lately?
Write to me, if you don’t hear from me as often as you used to.
Your Son,
RAYE
January 16, 1919 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – FELL FROM LADDER – Mrs. Joel Barnes of Dodds Bridge fell from a twelve foot ladder while assisting her husband in trimming shade trees, and suffered the fracture of her haw bone and right arm. She was brought to the county hospital by Dr. H. E. Bland of Fairbanks.
[Note: Front Page Article along with WHOLE OF U.S. VOTES DRY – NEBRASKA IS 36TH STATE TO RATIFY]
August 12, 1919 – Sullivan Daily Times – Sullivan, Indiana – Joel C. Barnes received word of the death of his brother, Theodore Barnes, at Danville. Mr. Barnes was a soldier of the Civil War.
July 6, 1921 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana, Front Page
WELL KNOWN FARMER FOUND DEAD IN BED
Joel C. Barnes, 64, of Turman Twp., Succumbs to Attack of Heart Failure
Joel C. Barnes, 64 years old, a native of the county and a life-long resident of Turman township, was found dead in his bed early Thursday morning by his family, who had called him for breakfast and receiving no response found his lifeless body in bed.
The funeral was held Friday afternoon at the Dodds Bridge M. E. church, of which the deceased was a member, and was conducted by Rev. L. L. Johnson, pastor of the Methodist church at Graysville, and the Masonic lodge of Fairbanks, of which the deceased was a member. The widow survives, together with one son, Ray Barnes of Sullivan, and four daughters, Mrs. Harlan Riggs of Fairbanks, Mrs. Chas. Harris of near Dodds Bridge, and misses Essie and Mabel Barnes, who live at home.
Joel C. was a son of Nelson and Mercy (Taft) Barnes who came to this county from Neew York state during the forties. He was born and reared in Turman township and had always followed the vocation of a farmer. In 1876 he was married to Josephine Conner who died in 1892. Five children were born to this union, two survive, Mrs. Charles Harris and Mrs. Harlan Riggs. In 1893 Mr Barnes was married to Maranda Lester, five children being born to this union, three surviving, Ray Barnes and Misses Essie and Mabel Barnes.
Mr. Barnes was a democrat in his political affiliation and was an active member of the Masonic lodge and the Eastern Star lodge at Fairbanks.
July 13, 1921 – Sullivan Union – Sullivan, Indiana
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned as been appointed administrator of the estate of Joel C. Barnes, late of Sullivan County, Indiana, deceased. Said estate is supposed to be solvent.
Ray Barnes, Administrator. Arthur E. DeBaun, Attorney.
Map of Lewiston & Auburn Showing the 1873 home of George Chase
Ada Marie Chase was born on 18 November 1876 in Auburn, Androscoggin, Maine,. She is the daughter of George W. Chase and Emma J. Libby. She died on 26 February 1940 in Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine at age 63 and is buried at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, Androscoggin County, Maine.
Ada was the second child of George and Emma; Her brother, Burnham Chase was born in either 1872 or 1873. Her sister, Alice M Chase was born three years later in October 1879.
The 1880 census found the young family living at 39 Spring, Auburn, Androscoggin County, Maine. George was working as a tinman, Emma keeping house, Burnham was at school, and young Ada and Alice were still to young for school. This location today appears to have been next door to the, then brand new, two room, Auburn Public Library.
Three more siblings were born during the 1880s. First Bertha F Chase in 1881, next Ralph S. Chase in 1884, then Harry H Chase in 1887.
I believe that sometime between 1880 and 1893 Ada’s mother died. In 1894, Ada’s father remarried. His new wife, Flora, had six children from a previous marriage.
In 1895 and library expanded and appears to have taken the house at 39 Spring, because by the 1900 census, the family had relocated to 98 Spring. In 1900, Bernham was no longer in the home. George was still a tinman, 23 year-old Ada was working as a cashier, and Alice was a working as a bookkeeper. Bertha was in college and the two youngest boys were still in school. Flora’s children are absent from this census record.
She married Everett Anson Bickford (1876-1957), son of Anson W. and Jennie C. Bickford on 30 October 1905 in Auburn, Androscoggin, Maine. Everett was 29 and Ada was 28. Ada’s sister Alice, who had married and moved to North Cambridge, Massachusetts, came up for the wedding.
Ada and Everett’s first child, Catherine Flora Bickford was born in 1907.
63 Winter Street, Auburn, Maine
Courtesy: Google Maps
In 1910 the young family was living at 63 Winter Street, Auburn, Androscoggin County, Maine. Everett was working as a grocer. Living with them was Everett’s father, Anson W Bickford. Ada would live there the rest of her life.
It is interesting to note that Zillow and other Real Estate websites report that the 3000 square-foot house at 63 Winter Street was built in 1920. It is unclear if they built their new home on the same lot as a previous house or if the build date is incorrect. More research will need to be done to determine that.
Three more daughters were born to Ada and Everett; Beatrice B, in 1911; Emma L, about 1913; and Phyllis, in 1916.
The 1920 Census shows that Everett had changed professions to be a real-estate and insurance agent. Ada was a housewife with four kids, and Everett’s father, Anson, was living at the same address but was his own head of household and was renting from Everett, who was the owner.
Marker: Ada M. Chase Wife of Everett A Bickford Photo Courtesy: Find a Grave.
In 1922, Everett’s father died.
The Auburn City Directory of 1924 indicates Everett owned the Bickford Agency and was the treasurer for the Auburn Motor Car Co., at 19 Turner.
By 1930, Catherine had moved out and the family was down to just Ada, Everett, and the three youngest daughters.
Ada Marie Chase Bickford died on 26 February 1940 in Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine. She is buried at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, Androscoggin County Maine.
The “Chin Chin” Crew packed up from the show Monday night in Sandusky, Ohio, traveled overnight the 100 miles to Lima, Ohio, to set up for another one night performance.
Advertising for the “Chin Chin” performance began in the Lima Daily News on 1 April 1920 with both an ad and a short article in the Theater and Movies section of the paper.
The article reads:
And the Ad shows:
FAUROT–”Chin Chin” is scheduled for appearance at the Faurot on Tuesday night with Walter Wills and Roy Binder in the leading roles, assisted by the biggest musical comedy aggregation on the road today.
The Plot of “Chin Chin” is so arranged that there is ample opportunity for many vaudeville interpolations of a nature that assures one hundred and fifty minutes of entrancing hilarity.
To relate the tricks of the pair of Chinese as they go thru their Arabian Night’s take would require much space.
“Chin Chin” is a clean and wholesome play, in seven scenes, requiring two sixty-foot baggage cars; the company comprises 65 people, mostly girls who appear in rich oriental costumes of many designs and variegated colors.
The following Sunday another an article ran in the Sunday News which included a rare photo of Donna with fellow “prima donna” Ethel Lawrence.
Photo quality is not great, however, Donna is clearly on the right. The Lima News, April 4, 1920, Via Newspaperarchive.com
Also, that issue of the paper included a much more thorough advertisement about the show including the Clown Saxophone Band and the Funny Laughing Horse. Further advertising on the day before the show and the day of the showing was similar.
The show appears to have gone on without problems. We don’t know if the company played on the 7th or 8th or if they had a couple days off, but they were in Steubenville on April 9th.
Faurot Opera House
Faurot Opera House Block
Lima, OH
Source: Card Cow
Benjamin C. Faurot was a successful businessman in 1881 when he began construction on the Faurot Block. Facing Main and High streets, the building would be five stories high and include offices, stores, a music hall, the Lima National Bank, and the Faurot Opera House. The block design was in an “Americanized composition of the French Renaissance and Queen Anne.” It was a strikingly beautiful design and structure, so much so, that it is said to have so impressed New Yorkers that they used it as a model for theaters there.
The opera house opened in 1882 and was used for plays, vaudeville, and movies until June 1934.
Julius Cahn Theatrical Guide for 1913-1914 reported that the Faurot Opera House seated 1,183 people; 467 on the main floor, 266 in the balcony, 400 in the gallery, and 50 in boxes. It had a 30’ by 30’ stage with a five-foot apron.
The auditorium was used for storage for a time in the 1940s, then the Opera House was demolished in 1953 to make way for a Kresge Drug Store.
Further Research
The newspaper articles I found regarding this show were from The Lima News. However, other newspapers of the time included the Republican-Gazette, Times-Democrat, the Advertiser, and the German language Courier. These papers should also be searched for potential photos and articles.
Sources:
“Chin Chin”
Newspapers.Com; The Lima News (Lima, Ohio) · Thu, Apr 1, 1920 · Page 11
Newspaperarchives.com; The Lima News – Lima, Ohio – Apr 4 1920 – 15970948
Faurot Opera House
Internet: The 419; “Finding Faurot: The Rise and Fall of one of Lima’s Greatest Contributors” by Kate Ellis; http://the419.com/finding-faurot/
Internet: Wikipedia; “Lima, Ohio” Leadership and growth, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima,_Ohio
Internet: Cinema Treasures, “Faurot Opera House” 135 N. Main Street, Lima, OH 45801, Closed, Demolished, 1282 seats. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/19555 The Cahn-Leighton official theatrical guide. 1913. New York, N.Y.: Publication Office, New Amsterdam Theatre Building. Page 519; via Google Books
During my recent trip to Detroit, one of my newly-met half-sisters, Beverly, and I had the opportunity to visit the Michigan Memorial Park in Flat Rock, MI. Our common grandmother Essie Pansy (Barnes) Roberts is buried there. Also, two of Essie’s children (an aunt and an uncle to us) are buried nearby.
I had done my homework before arriving. I downloaded an overall map of the cemetery and then contacted the cemetery for locations of the specific individuals. They were most helpful. I received the specific plot numbers for the people and I received a detailed map of the plots from the cemetery staff.
Marker – Essie Pansy (Barnes) Roberts Beloved Mother – 1903-1982 Photo by Don Taylor
When we arrived at the cemetery, we were able to park very close to where the plots were. It was Memorial Day 2016, and the cemetery had many people. When we found the marker a nice man, whose family member was buried a few yards away, offered to help us clean up the site and make it look better as it was quite overgrown. He then came over with a trimmer, blower, water bottle and paper towels and made quick work of cleaning up the marker. The difference was amazing. No longer did the grass encroach upon the bronze plaque, but was cleanly off the encircling cement as well. It just looked so clean, so fresh. We thanked our new friend for his work.
Marker – Aunt Pansy (Roberts) Romer 1922-1987 Photo by Don Taylor
As Murphy would have it, when we reversed the flower cup to add flowers direct from Beverly’s garden mud and goop came out and dropped onto the bronze plaque. So we had to wipe the marker down again. We added the flowers and said our respects.
Next to Pansy’s marker is the marker of her daughter, our aunt, Pansy Marie and her husband, Edward Harold Romer. Our anonymous friend had also trimmed up their marker. We thanked him profusely for his efforts once again. We paid our respects there and moved on to Uncle John’s marker.
Marker – John H Roberts (photo shot from top and inverted) Photo by Don Taylor
Uncle John, and his wife Isabel, Roberts’ marker was the least encroached upon of the markers before we arrived. Our friend didn’t clean that one up. He asked if we wanted him to do so, but it really didn’t need it like the other ones did. Again, we paid respects to Uncle John and his wife.
Then we returned to Essie’s marker. It was really moving for me to introduce myself to a grandmother I had never known and who never knew that I existed. But from everything my cousins and siblings say, she would have embraced me and loved me completely and totally had she known of me. I miss never having had the chance to know “Gran” first-hand.
Marker: Essie Pansy (Barnes) Roberts with flowers Photo by Don Taylor
Future Actions:
Collect stories and memories from the siblings and cousins regarding Essie so that I may get to know her.
