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.
Golden Nugget Library's
Butte County Biographies