Butte County

Biographies


 

 

FRANK BARNES

 

     

      FRANK BARNES.—A well-known and successful stockman and rancher of Butte County is found in the person of Frank Barnes, who is engaged in diversified farming on his ranch in the vicinity of Cohasset. A native of the State of California, he was born on the old Keefer place on Pine Creek, Butte County, twelve miles north of Chico, on October 31, 1869, a son of Trueman and Emma (Stevens) Barnes. Trueman Barnes was born in Michigan, and after he had grown to manhood he removed to Iowa, where he was later married. In the fifties, he decided to come to California in search of a fortune. Accordingly, he outfitted with ox teams and the necessary equipment, and with his bride began the long and tiresome journey that was to land them in the Golden State. Upon their arrival here, Mr. Barnes located a claim near the old Keefer place, and began his Western career as a farmer and stockman. At one time, also, he was a stage driver into Susanville. He died at Vina, aged sixty-three years. His widow, who was born in England, and came to Iowa in her girlhood, is still living, making her home in Chico, and is hale and hearty at the age of seventy-seven. She was the mother of ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Nettie, who married Henry Benner, and died at Manton; Emma, Mrs. Levins, of Oakland; Frank (of this review), William, Harry and Wesley, living in Chico; and Mary, Mrs Winters, living at Manton.

      Frank Barnes was educated in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of eighteen began working for wages at ranch work. When he was about twenty-four, he had saved enough to make a start for himself, which he did by leasing land and raising grain. As he prospered, he began to purchase land of his own. He has two hundred eighty-eight acres of the James Crowder place, and three hundred sixty acres of the Fred Dargee place, making six hundred forty-eight acres in one body. He later purchased one hundred sixty acres near Cohasset, and this he is devoting to horticulture and stock, his specialty being Durham and Hereford grade cattle. His brand, FB, is well-known. For summer range and headquarters, he has also one hundred twenty acres in Lassen County.

      On November 17, 1897, in Keswick, Mr. Barnes was married to Miss Alleaira Griffith, a native of Butte County, and a daughter of John Griffith, who was born in Ohio, on September 17, 1829, and who is mentioned more at length on another page of this work, in the sketch of J. W. Griffith. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have three children: Ima, Wesley and Keith. Interested in the cause of education, Mr. Barnes is a trustee of Clayton district, and clerk of the board. He is active in the ranks of the Republican party, while Mrs. Barnes is a Democrat.

 

 

Transcribed by Marie Hassard 16 July 2009.

Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Page 1213, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.


© 2009 Marie Hassard.

 

 

 

 

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