This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Barnes Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hMB.2ACI/778.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: >From "History of Clay and Platte Counties" 1885 RICHARD S. BARNES (Farmer, post-office, Blue Eagle). Richard Barnes, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was a lieutenant under Col. Johnson in the War of 1812 and afterwards drew a pension from the Government in recognition of his service. He was a Virginian by nativity and a mechanic by trade, but afterwards devoted his time and attention largely to farming. In an early day he removed to Kentucky and then, in 1823, to Boone county, MO. Two years later he came to Clay county, where he made his permanent home. He died here in 1861, at an advanced age. His wife, was previously a Miss Elizabeth Adkins, of Woodford county, KY died in this county, November 23, 1876. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and took a prominent part in religions matters. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Richard S. Barnes, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county December 27, 1826. Reared here, in 1853 he went to Oregon and a year later dropped down into California, where he was engaged in mining. sh! ip building, etc., for about two years. Returning thence to Missouri, the following year he went back to California, and was in that State and Nevada until 1865. Previous to going West he had enlisted for service in the Mexican War, but his company was never ordered out. Mr. Barnes was married in this county, February 6, 186S iii Miss Fannie, a daughter. of Henry and Sarah Nall. Mr. and Mrs. B. have five children: Lewis H., Edward T., Charles G., Earl N. and Willie E. Mr. Barnes has been one of the active and energetic farmers of Clay county ever since the war, and has had good success. He owns an excellent farm of 370 acres, all choice land and well improved. In the matter of religious conviction Mr. Barnes is a disciple of Nature, believing that the only true idea of God is to be formed from the visible manifestation. His works in the beauty and harmony and order of Nature. He is entirely content to let sectarians differ and contend over written creeds, whilst he looks u! p and does reverence and honor to the majestic God of the Universe, re gardless of bibles, Korans and all the other books that have been prepared in the distant past for the guidance of the highest and best interests of humanity.