This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Barnes,Eaton,Doxtader,Darling,Riley,Rice ,Schalle,Reynolds,Winter, Sherwood Classification: Lookup Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4EC.2ACE/884 Message Board Post: This handsome structure occupies the northeast corner of the block at the intersection of Monowan Street with Superior Avenue. The owner of the building is Lewis S. Barnes, who has been so long a resident of Tomah and whose life is intimately connected with the history of this place, that we can not refraim fro a few biographical notes here. He was born in Ballston Springs,N.Y. in 1820 and has therefore arrived at an age much beyond what anyone would guess who judges by his erect figure and vigourous step and ceaseless activity. After coming west Mr. Barnes spent a few years in Walworth County,Wisconsin, than a short time in Richland County as a peddler. In 1861 he came to Tomah, than a little hamlet in the midst of the wilderness. But judging aright of the possibilities of the place, he had no hesitation in selecting it as a permanent location. He first engaged in the mercantile trade with Jonas Eaton who was doing business at the corner now occuppied by McCaul's house on Superior Avenue. After the death of Mr. Eaton, Harry Doxtader entered into partnership with Mr. Barnes. Later Mr. Doxtader retired from the firm and Mr. Barnes son ,James A. became a partner in the business. Soon afterward they bought the Wyatt, Kibble & Co Stock and building at the corner which Mr. Barnes has owned ever since. There he carried on a properous business without interruption until the fall of 1894, when the fire destroyed the building with its contents. Mr. Barnes than found the opportunity to retire from the mercantile trade and take his ease during his remaining years, while enjoying the handsome property he has accumulted. Mr. Barnes is Tomah's veteran merchant and he has always been a firm believer in the place he first set foot in it 34 years ago. It may be said however, that his success in business is not a matter of location or chance, but is the sure reward of the untiring industry, sound judgement and keen business sense which Mr. Barnes has always displayed. Soon after the destruction of his old building Mr. Barnes decided upon the erection of a new one and the result is the ornamental modern structure shown in our cut--a credit to the owner and to the city. The building was ready for occupancy October 16st. Darling & Riley of LaCrosse, being the contractors. It is a 25 by 80 ft. two story and a basement, with 24 foot one-story additon at the rear. The walls are of solid brick with stone trimmings the Menomonie pressed brick being used throughout. The front and side of the building are equally ornate and well proportioned. The floors and stairways are of oak and the woodwork is all oil finished. the first-story front is of heavy plate glass and a large bow window adorns the second-story front. The building supplied with city water throughout. Within and without the building is a beauty and most desirable place to do business in. Long before it was finished it was completely tenanted and there was probably no single building in the city which yields so large a rental as this. The large and finely lighted basement is occupied by Rice & Schalle's Barber Shop; the first floor by Reynolds and Winter's Store, the second floor by Sherwood's Dental Parlors and Baumgarten's Photographic Studio. (Barnes Building 1895)